Madonna della Pietà Festival
The Marian patronal feast of Frattaminore, held every third Sunday of May
About Madonna della Pietà
The Marian festival of Frattaminore
The Madonna della Pietà Festival is the most deeply rooted religious celebration in Frattaminore, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, built on the ancient site of the former Pomigliano d'Atella. Every year, on the third Sunday of May, the community gathers around the image of the Virgin in a ritual that blends devotion, identity, and popular celebration.
The procession
The highlight is the procession: the statue of the Madonna della Pietà, kept in the parish of San Simeone Profeta, is carried on shoulders through the town centre to the chapel of Madonna dell'Arco. The pageant, followed by confraternities, the faithful, and local authorities, moves through the town in an atmosphere of reverence and participation that involves entire families.
The brass bands
A distinctive feature of the festival is the concerts by renowned touring brass bands, which accompany the procession and perform in the main square with their traditional concert repertoire. Brass band music, an authentic institution of Southern Italian festive culture, transforms the festival days into a grand open-air musical event.
A special Marian year
The Marian devotion of Frattaminore has received significant recognition: on May 1st, 2026, the town was awarded the title of Civitas Mariae, marking the opening of a special Marian Year (May 1st, 2026 - June 2nd, 2027). In the same context, the chapel of Maria SS. dell'Arco was affiliated with the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a devotional bond that enhances the spiritual value of the patronal feast.
History and territory
The parish of San Simeone Profeta has medieval roots: a fresco depicting Pope Gregory VII and the first baptismal registers dating back to 1599 testify to the antiquity of the cult in this corner of ancient Atella. The Madonna della Pietà Festival remains the heart of Frattaminore's community life today, an occasion for residents and those living abroad to reunite every May around their traditions.
Madonna della Pietà — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The 2026 Madonna della Pietà Festival was celebrated on Sunday, May 17th, the third Sunday of the month, according to the secular tradition of Frattaminore. The programme followed the usual format: liturgical celebrations in the parish of San Simeone Profeta, the solemn procession of the Virgin's statue towards the chapel of Madonna dell'Arco, and concerts by renowned touring brass bands along the town's streets.
The 2026 edition was made even more solemn by the recent conferral of the title of Civitas Mariae to the town (May 1st, 2026) and the opening of the Marian Year, which increased the participation of the faithful in the patronal feast.
Programme Madonna della Pietà 2026
Highlights Madonna della Pietà 2026
Prices Madonna della Pietà 2026
Practical information — Madonna della Pietà
How to get there
Frattaminore is located in the area north of Naples, bordering the province of Caserta. By car, it can be reached via the Asse Mediano and the SS7 bis; the nearest railway stations are those in the Atella area (Frattamaggiore-Grumo Nevano-Frattaminore on the Naples-Aversa line). The procession and concerts take place along the streets of the historic centre.
When
The festival is held every year on the third Sunday of May. Admission to all religious events and brass band concerts is free.
Tips
We recommend following the social media channels of the Parrocchia San Simeone Profeta for updated schedules of masses, the procession, and concerts.
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Where does it take place — Madonna della Pietà
Parrocchia San Simeone Profeta