Festa Maggiore – Maria SS. di Sovereto
The patronal festival of Terlizzi and the Triumphal Chariot of Maria SS. di Sovereto
About Festa Maggiore
The Festa Maggiore of Terlizzi
The Festa Maggiore is the most cherished event for the community of Terlizzi, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari, in the heart of Puglia. It is celebrated in honor of Maria SS. di Sovereto, the city's patron saint alongside Saint Michael the Archangel, and combines religious and civic dimensions, devotion, and street festivities into one grand occasion.
The Triumphal Chariot
The heart of the celebration is the spectacular procession of the Triumphal Chariot, a festive machine approximately 22 meters high with a wooden load-bearing structure covered in canvas. Every year, it travels through the main city streets, pushed by hand by about fifty men and steered by four helmsmen in traditional attire. The chariot carries the icon of the Madonna di Sovereto and the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel in triumph, along with numerous children seated along the staircase leading to the throne.
The tradition is rooted in the 16th-century cult of the Madonna di Sovereto: according to legend, the icon was contested between Terlizzi and Bitonto and arrived in the city on an ox-drawn cart. In 1868, the chariot took on its definitive form thanks to the neoclassical painter Michele De Napoli, who was also the city's mayor, and it has remained essentially unchanged to this day.
A calendar spanning months
The Festa Maggiore unfolds in two main phases. In spring, with the seven-day prayer and the transfer of the sacred image to the sanctuary of Sovereto, where the Virgin stays for several months. In August, with the solemn return of the icon to Terlizzi on the great Triumphal Chariot, which represents the climax of the festivities. Between these two poles, there are processions, Eucharistic celebrations, brass band concerts, artistic illuminations, and fireworks displays.
Music, flavors, and community
Alongside the liturgy, the Festa Maggiore is also widespread entertainment: concerts in the square featuring big names in Italian music, performances by the city band, food festivals dedicated to local products, and initiatives involving the neighborhoods and businesses of Terlizzi. A mix of the sacred and the profane that makes this festival one of the most evocative patronal events in Puglia.
Festa Maggiore — edition 2026
Festa Maggiore 2026
The Maria SS. di Sovereto 2026 Patronal Festival Committee, chaired by Nino Barione with vice-chair Marina Cagnetta and treasurer Roberto Tempesta, has announced the program for the August festivities, which will take place on August 8, 9, and 10.
The most anticipated moment is the procession of the Triumphal Chariot on Sunday, August 9: the steering of the massive 22-meter-high festive machine has been entrusted to the team of helmsmen led by Salvatore Chiapperini and Pierluigi Rubini.
The calendar opened in the spring, on April 16 and 23, with the seven-day prayer and the transfer of the sacred image to the sanctuary of Sovereto. In the summer, the Comitato On The Road brought the festival to the neighborhoods with traveling DJ sets and food festivals, including the Pizzarello Festival and the Panzerotto Festival.
The concert
A grand finale on Tuesday, August 11, in Piazza Cavour with a concert by Ermal Meta, one of the most appreciated voices in contemporary Italian singer-songwriter music.
Programme Festa Maggiore 2026
2026 Program
- April 16 and 23 – Seven-day prayer and transfer of the icon to the sanctuary of Sovereto (spring program)
- August 8, 9, and 10 – Central days of the Festa Maggiore: religious celebrations and civic festivities
- Sunday, August 9 – Procession of the Triumphal Chariot (22 meters high) with the icon of Maria SS. di Sovereto and the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel; helmsmen led by Salvatore Chiapperini and Pierluigi Rubini
- Tuesday, August 11 – Concert by Ermal Meta in Piazza Cavour
Highlights Festa Maggiore 2026
- Procession of the Triumphal Chariot, a 22-meter-high festive machine, on Sunday, August 9
- Concert by Ermal Meta in Piazza Cavour, Tuesday, August 11
- Artistic illuminations, city band, and fireworks displays
- Food festivals by the Comitato On The Road in the neighborhoods of Terlizzi
Prices Festa Maggiore 2026
Practical information — Festa Maggiore
Getting there
Terlizzi is located in the Metropolitan City of Bari, a few kilometers from the SS96 and SS98 roads. By train, it is served by the Ferrotramviaria Bari–Barletta line (Terlizzi station). The nearest airport is Bari Karol Wojtyła.
Admission
Processions, religious celebrations, and concerts in the square are generally free of charge.
Tips
During the days of the Triumphal Chariot procession, the historic center is closed to traffic: it is advisable to arrive early and park in the peripheral areas. For updated dates, please consult the official channels of the Patronal Festival Committee.
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Where does it take place — Festa Maggiore
Centro storico di Terlizzi
Centro storico, 70038 Terlizzi