Festa du' Masc'
The ancient arboreal rite of the wedding of the trees
About Du' Masc' — Castelmezzano
The wedding of the trees
Among the most evocative arboreal rites of Basilicata, the Festa du' Masc' in Castelmezzano celebrates every year, in September, a true symbolic wedding between two trees: a robust holm oak trunk, the groom, also called the "Maggio", and a holly top, the bride. It is a popular liturgy of nature, which intertwines religious devotion and ancient pre-Christian cults linked to the forest, coinciding with the celebrations of Saint Anthony.
From the woods to the square
The rite unfolds in phases. Woodcutters cut down and transport the holm oak trunk from the nearby Gallipoli Cognato and Piccole Dolomiti Lucane Regional Park using oxen, while in the woods, celebrations take place around the choice of the holly top. The two elements are then raised together in the village square, "almost touching the sky". After the symbolic wedding vows, the "Maggio" becomes a challenge: a greased pole to be climbed to win the prizes placed at the top.
Atmosphere and context
The festival is accompanied by folk music, dances, and food stalls that transform Castelmezzano into a stage of living tradition. The village, nestled among the spires of the Lucanian Dolomites in the Province of Potenza, offers a unique setting for this rite that unites the communities of the Park. The 25th edition took place in 2025: an event of strong appeal, perfect for those who want to discover the ancestral soul of Basilicata, where man and nature celebrate fertility and the cycle of life together.
Du' Masc' — Castelmezzano — edition 2026
The XXVI edition of the Festa du' Masc' is expected in Castelmezzano on September 12 and 13, 2026, following the XXV edition in 2025. The definitive confirmation of the dates will be announced by the organizers in the preceding weeks.
The rite will again feature the symbolic wedding between the holm oak trunk (the "Maggio", the groom) and the holly top (the bride): from the felling and transport by oxen from the Gallipoli Cognato Park to the raising of the tree in the square, followed by the greased pole climb, all accompanied by folk music, dances, and food stalls.
Programme Du' Masc' — Castelmezzano 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Castelmezzano and the Pro Loco in the coming weeks.
Based on the tradition of the arboreal rite, the event typically includes:
- felling and transport by oxen of the holm oak trunk (the "Maggio") from the woods of the Gallipoli Cognato Park;
- celebrations in the woods around the selection of the holly top (the bride);
- raising of the tree in the square and symbolic wedding vows;
- climbing the greased pole to win prizes;
- folk music, dances, and food stalls in the village.
Highlights Du' Masc' — Castelmezzano 2026
Prices Du' Masc' — Castelmezzano 2026
Practical information — Du' Masc' — Castelmezzano
How to get there: Castelmezzano can be reached from the SS407 Basentana, exit towards the Basento Valley, continuing along the provincial roads towards the Lucanian Dolomites.
Admission: the rite and shows are free to access; typical dishes can be purchased at the food stalls.
Accommodation: for overnight stays, it is advisable to refer to the facilities in Castelmezzano and the nearby Pietrapertosa, with advance booking.
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