Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Avigliano and Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Among the popular devotional festivals of Basilicata, that of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Avigliano, in the province of Potenza, is one of the most intense and evocative. It unfolds in two moments: on July 16th, with the statue's ascent to the Sanctuary on Mount Carmel (1,228 m), and on the second Sunday of September, with the return descent to the town.

The 'cinti' and 'palii'

The most fascinating part of the festival is the pilgrimage. The statue is carried in procession to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, from where the approximately six-kilometer journey to the sanctuary begins. Along the procession, the 'cinti' (or 'cente') parade: large multi-tiered votive candle structures, true ephemeral architectures reproducing towers, ships, church facades, and small altars. Alongside them advance the 'palii', triangular linen banners with the image of the Madonna embroidered in gold. It is a spectacle of faith, effort, and devotion.

History and Roots

The origins date back to the Middle Ages: as early as the 12th century, there is mention of a rudimentary chapel on the mountain peak, with the image of the Madonna. In 1696, the people of Avigliano bought the statue still venerated today in Naples, and the construction of a chapel on the mountain, renamed Monte Carmine, was established; the July 16th celebration was officially established in 1811. In 1999, the Mother Church of Avigliano, under the title of S. Maria del Carmine, was elevated to a basilica.

A Festival to Experience

Managed by the Festa Madonna del Carmine Committee, the celebration involves the entire town through novenas, processions, and civic events. For the visitor, it is an opportunity to witness an authentic Lucanian tradition and to discover Avigliano, a town of artisans known for its knives and textiles, and the panoramic views from Mount Carmel that stretch over much of Basilicata.