Patronal Feast of Maria SS. della Serritella

A devotion spanning over two and a half centuries

The Patronal Feast of Maria SS. della Serritella is the heart of religious and community life in Volturino, a village in the Monti Dauni perched in the province of Foggia, in Apulia. The cult has roots in the 18th century: during years marked by famine and earthquakes, Bishop Giovanni Coccoli mediated between the clergy and the farmers regarding tithes, reaching a peaceful agreement on May 1, 1774. A few days later, on May 8, 1774, the community unanimously proclaimed the Madonna della Serritella Patron Saint of Volturino, attributing their newfound harmony to her intercession. In 2024, the town celebrated the 250th anniversary of this patronage.

The six-kilometer procession

The highlight of the festival is the procession that accompanies the statue of the Madonna from the small rural church of Serritella to the town's Badiale Church, covering a distance of about six kilometers. In the past, men with oxen and horses, dressed for the occasion, would carve the path; today, the procession is led by famous, richly decorated allegorical floats, including the "golden floats" and the float dedicated to Saint Michael, which precede the statue amidst singing and prayer. The celebration attracts the faithful from across the entire Capitanata region.

Faith, brass bands, and popular festivities

Beyond the religious dimension, marked by triduums, sung rosaries, and holy masses, the festival possesses a strong popular soul. Visiting brass bands parade through the village streets, food stalls offer the flavors of the Monti Dauni, and the evenings come alive with concerts in the square and entertainment. The grand finale is provided by a fireworks display that illuminates the sky over Volturino.

A bond with the territory

The Madonna della Serritella is not just the patron saint of the Municipality of Volturino: she is the symbol of the identity of an entire community in the Monti Dauni. According to tradition, the statue remains in the Badiale Church for the summer months and returns to the rural Sanctuary of Serritella on the Sunday following September 8, thus closing the annual devotional cycle.

When it is celebrated

The festival is held every year on the first Sunday of May, preceded by several days of preparation involving the robing and crowning of the statue, the triduum, and evening rites at the Sanctuary. It is one of the most anticipated events in the calendar of patronal feasts in the province of Foggia.