Festival of the Madonna of the Holy Rosary of Pompei in Castro

The fishermen's festival of Castro Marina

The Festival of the Madonna of the Holy Rosary of Pompei is the most cherished tradition in Castro Marina, the seaside district of the town of Castro, overlooking the Adriatic coast of lower Salento, in the province of Lecce. Every year, around mid-August, the small fishing village transforms into a stage for popular faith, artistic illuminations, and music, drawing worshippers and visitors from across the Terra d'Otranto.

The legend of the 1896 miracle

The devotion is rooted in an event that local tradition dates back to 1896: it is said that the Madonna of the Rosary calmed the waters during a sudden storm, saving the fishermen of Castro who were caught at sea. In memory of that grace, Canon Don Gabriele Ciullo founded the Sanctuary and the adjoining orphanage in Castro Marina, inspired by the famous Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei. Since then, the seafaring community has renewed its vow of gratitude every year.

The sea procession

The heart of the festival is the sea procession, one of the oldest and most characteristic in all of Salento. In the late afternoon, the statue of the Madonna is carried on the shoulders of barefoot fishermen along Via Santuario and Piazza San Nicola to the ancient port, where Holy Mass is celebrated. In the evening, the effigy is embarked on an illuminated boat which, escorted by glowing lampare and vessels decorated with lights, flags, and garlands, slowly traverses the waters of the bay along the coast of the caves. Upon its return, the entire inlet of Castro lights up with a spectacular fireworks display over the sea.

Music, bands, and tradition

A rich secular program develops around the religious ritual: grand brass band concerts in the squares, artistic illuminations, roaming bands animating the narrow streets of the historic center, and evening musical performances that accompany the festivities late into the night. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the authentic soul of Castro, in a unique natural setting just a stone's throw from the Grotta Zinzulusa and the cliffs of the Adriatic Salento.

A defining event for Salento

The Festival of the Madonna of Pompei is much more than a religious celebration: it is an identity-defining ritual that weaves together the memory of the sea, the trade of the fishermen, and the pride of a community. Those visiting Castro during these days can breathe in the most genuine side of Puglia, amidst faith, folklore, and coastal landscapes of rare beauty.