Madonna del Monte Festival

The 2025 Madonna del Monte Festival took place during the first weekend of May in Cavallino, in the Province of Lecce, reaffirming the strong bond between the Salento community and its ancient patron saint. On Saturday evening, the statue was brought down from the Ducal Palace chapel, accompanied by the Hymn to Mary Most Holy of the Mount performed by local school children and the band, before being transferred in procession to the mother church.

On Sunday morning, the solemn pilgrimage to the Cappella del Monte at the cemetery took place, followed by Holy Mass and the return to the town. The festival committee, supported by the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, the parish, and the municipality, organized civil festivities including brass band concerts, illuminations, and fireworks displays that marked the arrival and departure of the simulacrum from the cemetery.