Festival of Maria Santissima della Strada (Contrada Piana)
Two weeks of devotion, wheat wagons, and folk music in the Contrada Piana of San Lorenzo Maggiore
About Maria SS. della Strada
Two weeks of devotion in Contrada Piana
In the municipality of San Lorenzo Maggiore, in the province of Benevento, the Festival of Maria Santissima della Strada is the most heartfelt event of the year. It is not just a one-day affair: for about two weeks, between late June and mid-July, the small Contrada Piana becomes the spiritual heart of this corner of the Valle Telesina, with the Madonna's icon welcomed into its Sanctuary and a continuous flow of pilgrims arriving from neighboring towns.
The Sanctuary and the rediscovered icon
Local tradition tells that this devotion was born from an apparition received by a woman, to whom the Virgin indicated a precise spot to dig: about three meters deep, a chapel emerged containing a painting of the Madonna. The icon, a late-Byzantine style panel depicting the Madonna in half-bust with the Child clutching the globe, owes its name to the church that once stood along the ancient Via Latina, the Roman road connecting Rome to Benevento and Puglia.
In the crypt of the current Sanctuary, one can still see the hole from which, according to the story, the image was extracted, along with a spring considered miraculous and the Holy Staircase leading to the site of the discovery. The foundations of the convent complex likely date back to the 15th century, when the structure was entrusted to Benedictine monks; in the 16th century, it passed to the Hermit Fathers. It is a heritage that the people of San Lorenzo guard with pride and that can be visited during the festival days, when the Sanctuary remains open and lively from morning until night.
The dawn procession
The most intense moment is the procession on the last Sunday of June: after the dawn mass celebrated in the parish church of San Lorenzo Martire, the procession accompanies the image of the Madonna along a route of over five kilometers to the Sanctuary of Piana. Walking through the fields as the sun rises over the hills of Sannio is an experience that makes the trip worthwhile. The Virgin then remains a guest of the district for two weeks, marked each evening by confessions, the recitation of the rosary, and holy mass, with pilgrimages from different parish communities. The return to the parish takes place with a second solemn procession on the final Sunday.
Wheat wagons and threshing
Alongside the religious dimension, a vibrant peasant heritage survives, making this festival different from many other Marian celebrations. The blessing of the wheat wagons—agricultural trailers decorated with ears of wheat and sheaves, often arranged to form sacred scenes—is a rite of thanksgiving to the Madonna for the fruits of the earth and takes place in the late morning on the convent square. A few days later, it is time for the threshing, performed with vintage machinery and the offering of grain, followed by the Threshing Festival: an evening of folk songs and dances that closes the secular program.
- Opening procession at dawn, over 5 km from the parish to the Sanctuary
- Blessing of the wheat wagons on the central Sunday
- Threshing with historical equipment and grain offering
- Fireworks at midnight
- Food stalls with grilled specialties and local products
Folk music, flavors, and fireworks
The Festival Committee, supported by a network of local volunteers, builds a secular program every year that alternates dance orchestras, folk music groups from Campania, and convivial evenings dedicated to genuine flavors. There is no shortage of pastellesse and bottari bands, who transform barrels, vats, and scythes into percussion instruments: one of the most authentic and recognizable expressions of Campania's folk culture. The highlight day concludes at midnight with a pyrotechnic show over the fields of Piana.
Why it's worth the trip
The Festival of Maria Santissima della Strada is a great way to discover a different side of Campania beyond the coast: the inland Sannio Beneventano, made of wheat, vineyards, rural sanctuaries, and communities that identify with their own rites. Admission to all events is free, the atmosphere is familiar, and the participation of residents is total. Visitors from outside will find a sincere welcome, home-style cooking at the food stalls, and the chance to witness agricultural traditions that have disappeared in many other parts of Italy.
Maria SS. della Strada — edition 2026
An edition spanning two full weeks
In 2026, the Festival Committee confirmed the traditional structure: opening on the last Sunday of June, fourteen days of the icon's stay in the Sanctuary of Piana, and closing with the return procession. Every evening, from June 29 to July 11, confessions at 8:00 PM, rosary at 8:30 PM, and holy mass at 9:00 PM, with the pilgrimage of a different parish community.
The most attended moments
Sunday, July 5, brought together the two souls of the festival: in the morning, masses at the Sanctuary and the blessing of the wheat wagons; at 9:00 PM, the Pastellesse Sound Group – I Bottari di Macerata Campania, with barrels, vats, and scythes transformed into percussion instruments; and at midnight, the pyrotechnic show. The secular program alternated the pop concert by Timeless, the convivial evening "Tra tarallucci e vino", and the Orchestra Spettacolo "Gli Scacciapensieri", while the threshing on July 10 and the Threshing Festival on July 11 brought the agricultural memory of the district back to the square.
Programme Maria SS. della Strada 2026
Religious program
- Sunday, June 28 — 6:30 AM: holy mass in the parish church "San Lorenzo Martire", followed by the traditional procession (over 5 km) accompanying the icon to the Sanctuary of Maria SS. della Strada in Contrada Piana; 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM: holy mass at the Sanctuary; 6:30 PM: holy mass in the parish. Free shuttle service from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- From Monday, June 29 to Saturday, July 11 — 8:00 PM: sacrament of reconciliation; 8:30 PM: recitation of the holy rosary; 9:00 PM: holy mass, with the pilgrimage of a parish community.
- Sunday, July 5 — 8:30 AM: confessions and holy rosary; 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM: holy mass at the Sanctuary; 10:00 AM: blessing of the wheat wagons, thanksgiving to the Madonna for the fruits of the earth; 6:30 PM: holy mass in the parish.
- Friday, July 10 — 5:00 PM: threshing and grain offering.
- Sunday, July 12 — 8:30 AM: confessions and holy rosary; 9:00 AM: holy mass at the Sanctuary; 11:00 AM: holy mass in the parish; 6:30 PM: holy mass at the Sanctuary; 7:00 PM: solemn return procession of the image to the parish church.
Secular program
- Sunday, June 28, 9:00 PM — concert by Timeless, Italian and international pop music.
- Thursday, July 2, 9:30 PM — "Tra tarallucci e vino", an evening dedicated to conviviality and genuine flavors.
- Saturday, July 4, 9:00 PM — Orchestra Spettacolo "Gli Scacciapensieri": live music, dancing, and entertainment for all ages.
- Sunday, July 5, 9:00 PM — Pastellesse Sound Group – I Bottari di Macerata Campania, heirs of the Battuglie di Pastellessa; at midnight fireworks.
- Saturday, July 11, 9:00 PM — Threshing Festival with folk songs and dances, closing the secular program.
Throughout the festivities, a food stall is active with grilled specialties and local products.
Highlights Maria SS. della Strada 2026
- Dawn procession on June 28: over 5 km from the parish church to the Sanctuary of Piana.
- Blessing of the wheat wagons, Sunday, July 5 at 10:00 AM.
- Pastellesse Sound Group – I Bottari di Macerata Campania, July 5 at 9:00 PM.
- Fireworks at midnight on July 5.
- Threshing with vintage machinery (July 10) and Threshing Festival (July 11).
- Solemn return procession of the icon, Sunday, July 12 at 7:00 PM.
Prices Maria SS. della Strada 2026
Practical information — Maria SS. della Strada
How to get there
San Lorenzo Maggiore can be reached by car from the SS 372 "Telesina", the axis connecting Caianello to Benevento; Contrada Piana is located in the plain at the foot of the town. By train, the most convenient station is Telese-Cerreto, on the Naples-Benevento line, with a car or taxi connection for the final kilometers. The reference airports are Naples-Capodichino (about 70 km) and, further away, Rome-Fiumicino.
Admission and costs
All religious and secular events have free admission. Only food and drinks at the stalls, featuring grilled specialties, local Sannio products, and beer, are for purchase.
Practical tips
- The opening procession starts at dawn: it is advisable to arrive the evening before or stay overnight in the area.
- On the opening Sunday, a free shuttle service is provided between the town and the Sanctuary during the central morning hours.
- Comfortable shoes are essential: the procession route exceeds five kilometers, partly on country roads.
- For accommodation, the widest choice is in Telese Terme and the Valle Telesina, which is rich in farmhouses and wineries.
- On concert evenings, the parking near the Sanctuary fills up quickly: it is better to arrive early.
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Where does it take place — Maria SS. della Strada
Santuario di Maria Santissima della Strada, Contrada Piana
Contrada Piana, 82034 San Lorenzo Maggiore