Madonna del Mare Festival

Madonna del Mare Festival 2025

The 2025 edition took place in the heart of the Salento summer in the marina of San Foca, a hamlet of Melendugno, in a year marked by the first centenary of the Maria SS. Assunta Parish, founded in 1925. The solemn day of Sunday, July 20, saw the Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Emeritus Michele Seccia, followed by the procession, brass band concerts, illuminations, and a fireworks display.

The heart of the festival was the sea procession: the statue of the Madonna, having departed from the seafront church, was carried on the most decorated fishing boat in the harbor to the Spiaggia delle Fontanelle, followed by the parade of fishing boats. On the seafront, the Community Memories photo exhibition was also inaugurated, featuring twelve shots printed on metal dedicated to the fishermen and the history of the marina.

2025 Program

• Thursday, July 10 — Concert by the Ars Nova Polyphonic Choir directed by Dolores Mancarella, as part of the celebrations for the parish centenary.
• Sunday, July 20 — Solemn day of the Madonna del Mare: Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Michele Seccia, procession, brass band concerts, illuminations, and fireworks display; inauguration of the "Community Memories" photo exhibition on the seafront (twelve shots printed on metal dedicated to the fishermen and the history of the marina).
• Sea Procession — The statue of the Madonna, having departed from the Maria SS. Assunta church, is carried on the most decorated fishing boat in the harbor to the Spiaggia delle Fontanelle, followed by the parade of fishing boats.