Festa Patronale di San Maurizio e Compagni Martiri

A devotion spanning centuries

In Montalbano Jonico, a village in the Metapontino area perched above the spectacular landscape of the calanchi (badlands), the bond with Saint Maurice is a story nearly four centuries old. The warrior saint and his Companion Martyrs have been patrons of the city since 1630, and their relics are kept in the mother church, the spiritual heart of the community. Every September 22nd, the town pauses to celebrate them with one of the most heartfelt patron saint festivals in the province of Matera.

A week of celebration

The festivities unfold over an entire week, generally from September 16th to 23rd. Alongside religious services, the program includes the traditional town fair, the funfair, band concerts, and entertainment that fills the streets of the historic center. It's a time when Montalbano fills with returning emigrants, relatives, and visitors drawn by an event that has marked the local calendar for generations.

The solemn procession of September 22nd

The heart of the festival is September 22nd. The Solemn Pontifical Mass in the mother church opens the day; in the afternoon, the grand procession winds through the main streets of the town. Particularly evocative is the moment of return, when the effigies of Saint Maurice and his companions are symbolically transported "on the boat" for a triumphant return to the Mother Church, accompanied by the band concert and fireworks. The celebrations then continue throughout the octave, with smaller processions to the hamlets and churches in the area.

Montalbano Jonico, between badlands and tradition

Experiencing the festival of Saint Maurice means discovering Montalbano Jonico and its extraordinary natural setting, the Calanchi Reserve, as well as the dense network of alleys in the historic center. Promoted by the Municipality of Montalbano Jonico and the local parishes, with the support of the Province of Matera, the festival remains an event of identity for the entire Lucanian community.