Il Mascio of Pietrapertosa
The ancient arboreal rite in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua in the Lucanian Dolomites
About Il Mascio
A Marriage Between Trees in the Heart of the Lucanian Dolomites
Perched on the rocky spires of the Lucanian Dolomites, in the province of Potenza, the village of Pietrapertosa preserves one of the most fascinating rites of Basilicata: Il Mascio, an ancient arboreal cult that still endures today, though its meaning and function have evolved. The festival is intertwined with devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua and is celebrated every year on the Sunday following June 13th, the saint's day.
The Rite: From the Woods to the Village
The rite is divided into several phases involving the entire community. On June 13th, the "Cerro"—also called "Maggio"—is chosen and felled in the woods of Montepiano. In the following days, the "Cima", a dense holly top, is cut and transported to the village with its crown resting on the yoke of two young cows. Simultaneously, the debarked "Maggio" is pulled by several pairs of oxen, the so-called "paricchi".
The climax is the grafting of the two plants, the symbolic "marriage" between the Mascio and the Cima. This is followed by the procession of the two trees, with the general involvement of anyone who wishes to participate: the arrival in the village is triumphant, accompanied by the town band and the offering of wine and biscuits to those present. The tree is finally erected using ropes, leading to the evocative final climb.
Faith and Popular Tradition
Alongside the arboreal dimension, the festival retains its religious heart: in the morning, the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua passes through the village streets in a solemn procession. Il Mascio thus represents a unique synthesis of nature worship, Christian devotion, and community identity, an expression of a Basilicata that has known how to pass down its most ancient rites from generation to generation.
One of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages
Pietrapertosa, certified among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, is the highest municipality in Basilicata and offers breathtaking views of the Lucanian Dolomites. Experiencing Il Mascio means discovering a village suspended among the rocks, where tradition becomes a collective spectacle.
Il Mascio — edition 2026
For 2026, Il Mascio of Pietrapertosa falls on Sunday, June 14th, as it is the first Sunday after June 13th, the liturgical feast of Saint Anthony of Padua. In the preceding days, the holm oak is cut in Montepiano and the holly top is prepared.
The day features a religious procession with the statue of the saint in the morning, and in the afternoon, the triumphant transport of the trees pulled by teams of oxen, the symbolic grafting, and the erection of the Mascio amidst the town band, wine, and biscuits.
Programme Il Mascio 2026
The 2026 Rite
The structure of the festival follows the traditional calendar:
- June 13th — Cutting and selection of the "Cerro" (Maggio) in the woods of Montepiano.
- Days preceding Sunday — Cutting of the holly "Cima" and transport to the village on the yoke of cows.
- Sunday, June 14th, morning — Religious procession with the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua through the village streets.
- Sunday, June 14th, afternoon — Processional transport of the Mascio and Cima with teams of oxen ("paricchi"), symbolic grafting between the two plants, triumphant arrival with the town band and offering of wine and biscuits, final erection of the Mascio using ropes.
The detailed timetable will be announced by the Municipality of Pietrapertosa in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Il Mascio 2026
Prices Il Mascio 2026
Practical information — Il Mascio
How to Get There
Pietrapertosa can be reached by car from Potenza via the SS407 Basentana, exit Campomaggiore-Albano. The historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to park in the areas outside the center.
Admission
Participation in the rite and processions is free and open to all.
Information
For details, please contact the Municipality of Pietrapertosa, tel. +39 0971 983002.
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