Madonna di Gulfi Festival (The Madonna's Ascent)
The Madonna's Ascent on Divine Mercy Sunday in Chiaramonte Gulfi
About Madonna di Gulfi
The Madonna's Ascent in Chiaramonte Gulfi
The Madonna di Gulfi Festival is the most anticipated religious and popular event in Chiaramonte Gulfi, a hillside village in the Iblean Mountains in the province of Ragusa, in the heart of south-eastern Sicily. Maria Santissima di Gulfi is the town's patron saint, and every year, on Divine Mercy Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter), her venerated image is welcomed into the town with a ritual that has been repeated for nearly four centuries.
The Ritual of the Ascent
The highlight is the so-called Madonna's Ascent: the exquisite marble statue depicting the Virgin and Child is taken from the apse of the Sanctuary of Gulfi, located about four kilometers from the town center, and carried on the shoulders of the faithful to the Mother Church. The devotees cover the distance at a brisk, almost running pace. Along the way, it is traditional to stop at the San Giorgio shrine for the singing of the Tota Pulchra, before the triumphant arrival in Piazza Duomo, where the statue is greeted by authorities and a moved crowd.
The Legend of the Statue
According to tradition, the statue of the Madonna di Gulfi comes from Byzantium: to escape iconoclastic persecution, it was allegedly thrown into the sea inside a chest, along with the statue of the Most Holy Savior, and discovered on the beaches between Scoglitti and Santa Croce Camerina. A dispute arose between the communities claiming the sacred image; the outcome was entrusted to two ox-drawn carts, and thus the Madonna arrived in Gulfi, where the sanctuary dedicated to her still stands today.
The Novena and the Categories
The Ascent is followed by a nine-day novena, marked by Eucharistic celebrations and moments of devotion. Each evening is dedicated to a different category of citizens, following an ancient division that reflects the town's social and productive history: the trappitari (olive mill workers), the millers and bakers, the women, the shepherds, the masci (masons), the merchants, and the vasciddari. The festival concludes with the descent of the Madonna as she returns to her sanctuary.
A Heritage of Iblean Faith
More than just a liturgical celebration, the Madonna di Gulfi Festival is a core part of the identity of the Municipality of Chiaramonte Gulfi and the entire province of Ragusa: a manifestation of popular faith where religion, tradition, collective memory, and a sense of belonging intertwine. For visitors, it represents a unique opportunity to discover the authenticity of Iblean Sicily, amidst baroque alleys, panoramic views of the Iblean Mountains, and the warm hospitality of a community deeply bound to its patron saint.
Madonna di Gulfi — edition 2026
2026 Edition - 382nd Ascent
The 2026 edition of the Madonna di Gulfi Festival in Chiaramonte Gulfi marked the 382nd Ascent, an extraordinary milestone for this Iblean tradition. The festivities began on Friday, April 10, with Mass and the Svelata (unveiling) ceremony of the statue, followed by the presentation of the restored processional carriage at the Church of the Most Holy Savior. Saturday, April 11, was dedicated to welcoming new bearers at the sanctuary and the inauguration of a photographic exhibition dedicated to the memory of the festival.
The Day of the Ascent
On Sunday, April 12, Divine Mercy Sunday, the Ascent took place: after the morning Eucharistic celebration, the statue departed from the Sanctuary of Gulfi around 10:00 AM with the customary stop at the San Giorgio shrine for the singing of the Tota Pulchra, arriving in Piazza Duomo to be greeted by the authorities. In the afternoon, the traditional Cuncursu was held. The evening novena, running until April 22, saw each night dedicated to a different category of citizens, concluding with the return of the Madonna to her sanctuary.
Programme Madonna di Gulfi 2026
2026 Program
- Friday, April 10: 12:30 PM Holy Mass; 1:30 PM Svelata ceremony and homage by devotees; 7:30 PM presentation of the restored carriage at the SS. Salvatore Church.
- Saturday, April 11: 12:30 PM welcome and catechesis for new bearers at the sanctuary, community lunch; 6:00 PM inauguration of the photographic exhibition at the Church of Santa Teresa.
- Sunday, April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday): 9:00 AM Eucharistic celebration; 10:00 AM start of the Ascent from the Sanctuary of Gulfi with a stop at San Giorgio for the Tota Pulchra; 11:00 AM arrival in Piazza Duomo; in the afternoon, the traditional Cuncursu.
- April 13-21: Novena with evening celebrations dedicated to various categories (mill workers, millers and bakers, women, shepherds, masons, merchants, vasciddari).
- April 22: Descent of the Madonna and return to the Sanctuary of Gulfi.
Highlights Madonna di Gulfi 2026
- 382nd edition of the historic Madonna's Ascent
- Shoulder-borne transport of the marble statue for approx. 4 km from the sanctuary to the Mother Church
- Singing of the Tota Pulchra at the San Giorgio shrine
- Novena with evenings dedicated to the town's traditional categories
Prices Madonna di Gulfi 2026
Practical information — Madonna di Gulfi
How to get there
Chiaramonte Gulfi can be reached by car via the SS194 and provincial roads connecting Ragusa (approx. 20 km) and Vittoria. The nearest airport is Comiso (approx. 25 km); Catania-Fontanarossa is about 100 km away. The reference train stations are Ragusa or Comiso, with onward connections by bus.
When
The festival takes place on Divine Mercy Sunday and the following nine days (novena) in spring. The Madonna's Ascent begins in the morning, around 10:00 AM, from the Sanctuary of Gulfi.
Tips
Admission to the celebrations is free. It is recommended to arrive early along the route of the Ascent to find a good spot and to wear comfortable shoes. Do not miss the local Iblean cuisine, renowned for its Monti Iblei PDO extra virgin olive oil.
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Where does it take place — Madonna di Gulfi
Chiesa Madre e Santuario di Gulfi