Madonna della Madia Patronal Festival
The grand patronal festival of Monopoli, featuring ancient faith, the historical Landing re-enactment, and summer concerts
About Madonna della Madia
The festival that defines Monopoli
The Madonna della Madia Patronal Festival is the beating heart of the identity of Monopoli, an elegant coastal city in the Province of Bari, Puglia. This is not just a simple religious observance: it is the moment when the entire community gathers around its Patroness, Maria Santissima della Madia, in a celebration that blends the depth of a millennial history with the joy of a major collective event. For Monopoli natives scattered across the globe, returning home for the Madia is a true labor of love.
The legend of the Landing
According to tradition, on the night of December 16, 1117, a raft (known in local dialect as madìa) miraculously transported a Byzantine icon of the Virgin—an Odigitria type, painted on wood with gold leaf details—to the port of Monopoli. Legend has it that the beams of that very raft were used to complete the roof of the Cathedral, which was under construction at the time. This miracle forged an unbreakable bond between the city and its Madonna, celebrated twice a year: on December 16, the date of the historic winter arrival, and during Ferragosto, with grand summer festivities.
The re-enactment at Cala Batteria
The most moving moment is the re-enactment of the Landing, which takes place on the night of August 14. The icon is brought back by sea on a raft escorted by sailors to Cala Batteria, while divers light the path with underwater flares and the sky is illuminated by a fireworks display. It is a striking scene, bridging the sacred and the popular, drawing thousands of people along the coastline and through the historic center.
Processions, bands, and illuminations
From August 13 to 16, the city experiences its peak days: solemn celebrations in the Co-Cathedral Basilica, processions featuring the icon and the silver effigy of the Madonna winding through the alleys and squares of the old town, musical matinées, and brass band concerts. Artistic illuminations transform Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II into a cathedral of light, while traditional Apulian marching bands accompany every day of the festivities.
Grand summer concerts
Alongside the religious aspect, the Madia offers a rich program of free shows in the city's main square. Every year, a major guest from the Italian music scene closes the festivities in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, attracting audiences from across the Apulian Adriatic coast. Street food, markets, and lively evenings in the center complete an atmosphere that perfectly balances devotion, tradition, and summer fun.
The festival is organized by the Madonna della Madia Patronal Festival Committee in collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Monopoli and the Diocese of Conversano-Monopoli.
Madonna della Madia — edition 2026
In 2026, the festivities in honor of Maria SS. della Madia run from July 31 to August 31, with the heart of the festival concentrated between August 13 and 16. Highlights include the solemn novena, processions with the icon and the silver effigy, artistic illuminations in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, and two fireworks displays by Maxima Fireworks of Bitonto. The guest of honor for this edition is Ricchi e Poveri, performing a free concert on August 16.
Programme Madonna della Madia 2026
Friday, July 31
- 22:00 — Concert by the Jubilee Band in the Cathedral Basilica Square
- 23:15 — Holy Rosary
- 00:00 — Entrance into the Basilica and tribute to the Madonna with a band parade in the historic center
August 5-13
- Solemn Novena with pilgrimage of parish communities (Holy Rosary at 18:15, Eucharistic Celebration at 19:00)
- August 12, 19:00 — Solemn Celebration presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem; 21:00 meeting "Peace must be built"
Thursday, August 13
- 18:00 — City parade by the Castellana Grotte Band
- 20:30 — Procession and enthronement of the icon in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- 21:00 — Lighting of the artistic illuminations
- 21:30 — Concert by the Castellana Grotte APS Band
Friday, August 14 — The Landing re-enactment
- 11:00 — Musical matinée by the Grande Orchestra Città di Gioia del Colle
- 21:00 — Prayer vigil with Landing re-enactment at Cala Batteria and fireworks display by Maxima Fireworks of Bitonto
- 21:30 — Solemn procession through the historic center
- 22:00 — Band concert Città di Gioia del Colle
Saturday, August 15
- 10:00 — Musical matinée by the Grande Banda Città di Fisciano
- 18:30 — Solemn Pontifical and Procession with the silver effigy of the Madonna
- 22:00 — Concert by the Grande Orchestra Città di Fisciano
- 00:00 — Fireworks display by Maxima Fireworks of Bitonto
Sunday, August 16
- 10:30 — Musical matinée by the Jubilee Band of Monopoli
- 20:30 — Procession of the icon back to the Cathedral Basilica
- 21:00 — Concert by Ricchi e Poveri in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Monday, August 31
- 19:00 — Eucharistic thanksgiving celebration
- 21:00 — Musical show by the Grande Orchestra Italiana in the Cathedral Basilica Square
Highlights Madonna della Madia 2026
Prices Madonna della Madia 2026
Practical information — Madonna della Madia
Location
The heart of the festivities is the Maria SS. della Madia Co-Cathedral Basilica and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in the historic center of Monopoli (BA). The Landing re-enactment takes place at Cala Batteria, along the coast.
Getting there
By train: Monopoli station on the Adriatic line (Bari-Lecce), a few minutes' walk from the center. By car: take the Monopoli exit on the SS16 Adriatic highway. Nearest airport: Bari-Palese, approximately 50 km away.
Admission
All religious events and concerts in the square are free and held outdoors. During the main evenings, the historic center becomes very crowded: it is advisable to arrive early to secure a spot for the processions and concerts.
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Where does it take place — Madonna della Madia
Basilica Concattedrale Maria SS. della Madia
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 70043 Monopoli