Festival of Saint Francis of Paola

The 2025 Festival of Saint Francis of Paola brought Otranto to life on May 24 and 25, following the triduum of preparation celebrated from May 21 to 23 between the Sanctuary of Colle dei Martiri and the Cathedral Basilica. The eve opened with the procession towards the Colle dei Martiri and the veneration of the relic, followed in the evening by musical entertainment from the group Italian Graffiti.

Sunday saw the most solemn moment: the city procession and the handing over of the city keys at Porta Terra, with the Eucharistic concelebration in the Cathedral. On the civil side, the day was marked by the matinée and the grand brass band concert by the Castellana Grotte Band, conducted by Maestro Grazia Donateo, while illuminations and market stalls decked out the Minerva district. The fireworks display, scheduled at Molo San Nicola, was postponed to June 1st due to weather conditions.

Triduum (May 21-23, 2025)

• 7:30 AM - Sanctuary of Colle dei Martiri: Lauds and Holy Mass
• 6:30 PM - Cathedral Basilica: Rosary and Holy Mass
• 8:00 PM - Largo Minerva: prayer moment

Saturday, May 24, 2025

• 6:30 PM - Procession towards Colle dei Martiri, Mass, and relic veneration
• 8:30 PM - Musical entertainment with the group "Italian Graffiti"

Sunday, May 25, 2025

• 8:00 AM-11:00 AM - Holy Masses at the Sanctuary
• 10:30 AM - Matinée by the Castellana Grotte Band in the Villa Comunale
• 6:45 PM - City procession
• 7:30 PM - Handing over of the city keys to the Saint at Porta Terra and Eucharistic concelebration in the Cathedral
• 8:30 PM - Grand brass band concert at Largo Minerva (Castellana Grotte Band, Maestro Grazia Donateo)
• 11:30 PM - Fireworks display at Molo San Nicola (postponed to June 1st due to bad weather)