Maria SS. Addolorata Festival
The patronal feast of Modugno in honor of the Virgin of Sorrows
About Modugno Addolorata Festival
The patronal feast of Modugno
The festivities in honor of Maria SS. Addolorata are the most deeply felt devotional event in Modugno, a city in the province of Bari located just outside the regional capital. Every year, in early March, the community gathers around its patron saint with a week of prayer that culminates on the main day of March 10th, a date with a precise and deeply rooted significance in the collective memory of Modugno.
The origins: the protection of 1799
The devotion of Modugno toward the Virgin of Sorrows has its roots in the turbulent years of the Parthenopean Republic. According to tradition, on March 10, 1799, as revolutionaries and citizens from neighboring towns appeared before the city walls, the people of Modugno invoked the protection of the Madonna Addolorata. That event sparked a devotion that led, in 1876, to the proclamation of the Virgin of Sorrows as the patron saint of Modugno. The festival is therefore not just a religious rite, but a living memory of an event that the city considers part of its own identity.
A week of celebrations
The festivities span several days, primarily at the Mother Church, the Parish of Maria Santissima Annunziata. During the week leading up to the main day, the coroncina (chaplet) in honor of the Virgin is recited daily, followed by Holy Mass, while moments of catechesis and community prayer guide the faithful toward March 10th. The eve is dedicated to spiritual preparation, with evening prayers and the Eucharistic celebration.
March 10th: between faith and civic celebration
The main day combines religious and popular dimensions. In the morning, a solemn Mass is celebrated, while in the evening, the procession of the image of Maria SS. Addolorata winds through the city streets, marking one of the most anticipated and well-attended moments of the entire Modugno calendar. The civic celebrations are accompanied by traditional bassa musica (street band) performances, a concert by the local band, and, as a grand finale, the evocative release of an artistic hot-air balloon over the city rooftops.
A heritage of the Bari area
Among the many patronal feasts that mark the Apulian spring, the one in Modugno stands out for its direct link to a historical event and for the deep popular participation. It is an opportunity to discover the historic center of the town, its churches, and a tradition that intertwines religiosity, brass band music, and a sense of belonging to the community in the province of Bari.
Modugno Addolorata Festival — edition 2026
In 2026, Modugno once again celebrated its patron saint with a week of intense devotion, from March 3rd to 10th, at the Mother Church - Parish of Maria Santissima Annunziata. From March 3rd to 9th, the community gathered daily for the recitation of the chaplet followed by Holy Mass, with the Via Matris celebrated on March 6th. The eve of March 9th combined prayer and community catechesis in preparation for the main day. On Tuesday, March 10th, the heart of the festival, the solemn Mass was celebrated at 11:00 AM, presided over by Bishop Monsignor Francesco Savino, followed in the evening by the traditional procession of the image of the Addolorata through the city streets. The civic program enlivened Modugno with street music and a concert by the Santa Cecilia Wind Orchestra, concluding with the release of an artistic hot-air balloon.
Programme Modugno Addolorata Festival 2026
March 3 - 9 — Devotional Week
At the Mother Church (Parish of Maria Santissima Annunziata):
- Daily recitation of the chaplet in honor of Maria SS. Addolorata, followed by Holy Mass
- March 6 — Via Matris at the end of the Eucharistic celebration
Monday, March 9 — Eve
- 5:45 PM — Prayers in honor of the Virgin of Sorrows
- 6:30 PM — Eucharistic celebration presided over by the parish priest Father Nicola Colatorti
- 7:15 PM — Community catechesis led by Bishop Monsignor Francesco Savino
Tuesday, March 10 — Main Day
- Morning — Holy Masses
- 11:00 AM — Solemn Mass presided over by Bishop Monsignor Francesco Savino, broadcast live on Telebari channel 17 and via streaming
- Evening — Procession of the image of Maria SS. Addolorata through the city streets
Civic Program
- Street music performances by bassa musica bands
- Band concert with the Santa Cecilia Wind Orchestra of Modugno
- Release of an artistic hot-air balloon and festive moments in the square
Highlights Modugno Addolorata Festival 2026
Prices Modugno Addolorata Festival 2026
Practical information — Modugno Addolorata Festival
Where it takes place
Religious celebrations are held primarily at the Mother Church of Modugno (Parish of Maria Santissima Annunziata), in the city center. The procession and civic festivities wind through the streets and squares of the town.
How to get there
Modugno is located a few kilometers from Bari and is easily accessible by car via the SS96 and the Bari ring road, as well as by train and bus connections from the regional capital. The historic center, where the celebrations take place, is a short distance from the main city arteries.
Admission
Religious celebrations and public square festivities are free and open to all.
When
The festival is celebrated in early March, with the main day on March 10th. The solemn Mass on the main day is also broadcast live on Telebari.
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Where does it take place — Modugno Addolorata Festival
Chiesa Matrice - Parrocchia Maria Santissima Annunziata