Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

The September patronal feast in Margherita di Savoia

The Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the most cherished events in the religious calendar of Margherita di Savoia, a town in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani (BT), in Apulia, famous for its salt pans—the largest in Europe—and its seaside thermal baths. The community venerates two patron saints: the Most Holy Savior, celebrated in August, and Our Lady of Sorrows, honored in September. This is therefore the second patronal feast of the year, held annually from September 13th to 15th.

Devotion and the tradition of the salt workers

For the community, Our Lady of Sorrows is a symbol of consolation, strength, and protection. According to an immemorial tradition, the patron saints are carried in procession through the city streets to bless the fields, the sea, the salt pans, and the thermal baths—the productive activities that have always provided work and identity to the town. The festival is rooted in the popular culture of the salt workers and unites the entire town in a moment of shared faith and community gathering.

The religious core

The spiritual heart of the festival is the Solemn Holy Mass, celebrated at the Parish of the Addolorata in the presence of civil and military authorities. At the end of the celebration, the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows is carried in procession through the town streets, accompanied by the faithful and a marching band. Upon the return of the procession, the traditional fireworks on the beach are set off, a pyrotechnic display that has returned to frame the festival in recent years after being restored following decades of absence.

Music, entertainment, and local life

Alongside the religious dimension, the festival offers a rich secular program in Piazza Libertà, with concerts, musical tributes, and comedy shows that enliven the September evenings. The illuminations, market stalls, and food stands along Corso Vittorio Emanuele complete the festive atmosphere, attracting both residents and visitors. It is the ideal opportunity to discover Margherita di Savoia outside the beach season, amidst the scent of the sea, the colors of the salt pans, and the warmth of Apulian hospitality.

An event to experience

The Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows represents a moment of strong identity for the Municipality of Margherita di Savoia: it unites the sacred and the profane, the memory of the ancestors, and the participation of new generations. Those visiting Apulia in September will find an authentic festival here, capable of telling the soul of a community tied to the sea and salt.