Maria S.S. delle Grotte Celebrations

A devotion spanning over four centuries

The Maria S.S. delle Grotte Celebrations are the most cherished event of the year in Antrodoco, a village in the Upper Velino Valley in the Province of Rieti, Lazio. The tradition has its roots in the early 17th century when, according to local lore, a young shepherdess discovered the Image of the Virgin and Child inside a cave on the mountain slopes. An altar was erected on the site of the discovery, and within a few years, the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grotte was built against the rock: the first mass was celebrated in 1602, and construction of the church began in 1603.

The May ritual: forty days of festivities

For centuries, Antrodoco has celebrated its patron saint throughout the month of May. The ritual begins at the start of the month, when the statue of the Virgin is carried in a solemn procession from the Sanctuary to the collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta in the town center, where it remains exposed for the veneration of the faithful until Pentecost. These days involve the entire community: religious celebrations, novenas, illuminations lighting up the village streets, and a large charity raffle alternate with the secular moments of the festival. On the Monday following Pentecost, the Image returns to its Sanctuary, accompanied along the festively decorated streets.

The 2026 edition: Povia and Matteo Tortora in Piazza Marconi

In 2026, the festivities took place from May 2nd to 25th, with the highlight during the final weekend. On Saturday, May 23rd, at 9:30 PM in Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, Povia took the stage with his "Viva la Festa Tour," in the year marking twenty years since his victory at the Sanremo Music Festival. On Sunday, May 24th, Pentecost day, the Solemn Procession wound through the city streets at 12:00 PM, accompanied by the A.C.M.A. Band, while the evening featured a concert by Matteo Tortora with his "Balla con me Tour." On Monday, May 25th, at 8:15 AM, the return of the Virgin's Image to the Sanctuary concluded the festivities, followed at 11:00 AM by a Solemn Mass presided over by the Bishop of Rieti.

A heritage of faith and community

More than just a patronal feast, the Maria S.S. delle Grotte celebration is a defining trait of Antrodoco: it unites the Marian spirituality of the Sanctuary with the conviviality of evenings in the square, with the band, stalls, fireworks, and music that bring the Rieti village to life. For those visiting the Upper Velino Valley, it is the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Lazio, nestled between the Apennine mountains and an unbroken religious tradition.