Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix

2025 Crucifix Festival in Monteroni di Lecce

The 2025 edition was held on October 11 and 12, combining devotion and popular celebration. The 6:00 PM Holy Mass on Saturday was presided over by the Archbishop of Lecce, Monsignor Angelo Raffaele Panzetta, followed by the solemn procession along a route expanded to reach streets never crossed in previous years. In the morning, the Fidas association of Monteroni organized a blood drive at the Vito Fazzi hospital.

A novelty this year was the first Sagra te la Patata Paccia, inaugurated by the Archbishop alongside the Monteroni tra arte&gusto market, featuring Salento new potatoes in all their variations. On Sunday, the town came alive with the Market Fair, brass band concerts, illuminations, and fireworks. Mayors from the National Association of Cities of the Most Holy Crucifix participated in the festivities.

Saturday, October 11, 2025

• 08:30 AM — Blood drive with the Fidas association at Vito Fazzi hospital
• 05:00 PM — Inauguration of the first Sagra te la Patata Paccia and the Monteroni tra arte&gusto market, with Archbishop Mons. Angelo Raffaele Panzetta
• 06:00 PM — Solemn Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Lecce, followed by the solemn procession through the town streets
• 09:30 PM — Performance by Elis, concert by the folk group Talitakum, and brass band concert conducted by maestro Rocco Quarta

Sunday, October 12, 2025

• 08:30 AM — Grand brass band concert by A&G Abbate of Squinzano
• 10:00 AM — Opening of the Market Fair and the fourth edition of Monteroni tra arte&gusto
• 04:00 PM — Self-defense demonstration (taekwondo) in Piazza Falconieri
• 05:00 PM — Reopening of the Sagra te la Patata Paccia stalls
• 10:30 PM — DJ set by Francesco Lubelli

Artistic illuminations by Mariano Light and fireworks display by Fireworks Eventi.