Festival of Saint Mary Magdalene of the Woods (Dance of Death)
The famous Dance of Death and the pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti
About Festival of Mary Magdalene
A Centuries-Old Rite
The Festival "de Santa Maria Madarena du boscu" is one of the oldest traditions in western Liguria, mentioned in the statutes of Taggia (province of Imperia) as early as 1381. It has its roots in a devotion that intertwines Christian elements with pagan rites linked to the cycle of seasons and harvests.
The Maddalenanti and the Pilgrimage
Since 1716, with the founding of the Company of Saint Mary Magdalene, the festival has taken on a community character. The Maddalenanti, dressed in traditional red and white attire, undertake a pilgrimage on horseback, on foot, or by mule on Saturday evenings to the hermitage in the woods, where—according to tradition—Mary Magdalene stopped before reaching Provence; they spend the night there in celebration.
The Dance of Death
The heart of the festival is the Dance of Death: two men play "o masciu" and "a Lena." The mime begins with joyful scenes of love and happiness; then "Lena" dies. Desperate, "masciu" tries to revive her by covering her with lavender: "Lena" awakens, and to the notes of a funeral song with a different rhythm, the resurrection is celebrated. An archaic rite representing the eternal cycle of death and rebirth, still alive in the heart of the Argentina valley.
Festival of Mary Magdalene — edition 2026
For 2026, the festival falls on the Sunday closest to July 22nd: Sunday, July 19th, preceded by the pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti on the evening of Saturday, July 18th, towards the hermitage in the woods.
The most anticipated moment remains the Dance of Death, the mime that stages love, death, and resurrection with lavender. The religious and popular rites, passed down for centuries thanks to the Company of Saint Mary Magdalene, accompany the festival days in the historic center of Taggia.
Programme Festival of Mary Magdalene 2026
The detailed 2026 program will be announced by the Company of Saint Mary Magdalene. Based on tradition:
- Saturday evening — pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti (in red and white attire) to the hermitage in the woods, with an overnight vigil
- Sunday — religious and popular rites in the historic center
- Dance of Death: mime of "o masciu" and "a Lena," with lavender as a symbol of resurrection
Highlights Festival of Mary Magdalene 2026
Prices Festival of Mary Magdalene 2026
Practical information — Festival of Mary Magdalene
Where
Taggia (IM), historic center and Sanctuary of Santa Maria Maddalena, Argentina valley.
How to get there
By car from the A10 (exit Arma di Taggia-Sanremo Est), then towards the historic center of Taggia. Taggia-Arma train station on the Genoa-Ventimiglia line.
When
The festival takes place on the Sunday closest to July 22nd, with the pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti on the evening of the preceding Saturday.
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Where does it take place — Festival of Mary Magdalene
Centro storico di Taggia e Santuario di Santa Maria Maddalena