Patronal Feast of Saint Martin and Saint Comasia
The grand patronal festival of Martina Franca, blending faith, illuminations, and Baroque tradition
About Saint Martin Feast
The patronal festival of Martina Franca
In the heart of the Valle d'Itria, amidst the white alleys and Baroque facades of Martina Franca, the Patronal Feast of Saint Martin and Saint Comasia is the event that unites the entire community every year. It is the town's most important religious and popular summer festival: for about ten days, between late June and early July, the city dresses up with grand illuminations and hosts a blend of sacred rites, civic moments, and performances.
The two patrons and the silver statues
Martina Franca venerates Saint Martin of Tours, the bishop who shared his cloak with a beggar, and Saint Comasia, an early Christian martyr, as its patrons. The two saints are represented by precious 18th-century silver statues, housed in the majestic Basilica of Saint Martin that dominates Piazza Plebiscito, a masterpiece of Apulian Baroque. The entire festival revolves around these statues, which are carried on shoulders through the streets of the center.
The heart of the festival: procession and candle offering
The most anticipated moment is the solemn procession of the statues, which winds through the illuminated historic center late in the evening, flanked by crowds and accompanied by grand brass band concerts. The eve is marked by the evocative civic pageant and the offering of candles: from the Ducal Palace, the seat of the Town Hall, city authorities reach the Basilica to pay homage to the patrons, following a ritual deeply rooted in the city's history.
Illuminations, bands, and pyromusical displays
Alongside the religious dimension, the festival offers all the ingredients of the great Apulian tradition: the spectacular illuminations that transform squares and avenues, brass band concerts in Piazza Plebiscito and Piazza XX Settembre, the fair with stalls invading the streets, the funfair, and the final pyromusical show that lights up the sky of the Valle d'Itria. A spectacular finale that brings together families, visitors, and devotees.
An identity-defining event for the city
Organized by the Basilica of Saint Martin with the support of the Municipality of Martina Franca (Province of Taranto, Puglia), the patronal feast is much more than a religious celebration: it is the moment when the community of Martina rediscovers its roots and identity. For visitors, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the "white city" of the Valle d'Itria in its most vibrant and authentic period.
Saint Martin Feast — edition 2026
The 2026 patronal festival of Martina Franca runs from June 27 to July 6 under the Jubilee theme "Pilgrims of Hope". In the first phase, the silver statues of Saint Martin and Saint Comasia make a pilgrimage through the city's parishes before returning to the Basilica of Saint Martin. Civil and religious festivities are concentrated on the weekend of July 4-6 and feature the presence of Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who will preside over the main celebrations. Highlights include the offering of candles from the Ducal Palace, the solemn procession of the patrons, brass band concerts, the city center fair, and the final pyromusical show.
Programme Saint Martin Feast 2026
Pilgrimage of the statues (June 27 - July 3)
The silver statues of the patrons depart from the Basilica of Saint Martin and travel through the city's parishes (Divino Amore, Maria SS. del Monte Carmelo, Sant'Antonio), returning to the Basilica on July 3.
Friday, July 3
- Return of the statues to the Basilica of Saint Martin
- Solidarity initiative "Add a seat at the table" (home-delivered lunch for families)
- Evening: concert by the "Città de Martina Franca" Band in Piazza Plebiscito
Saturday, July 4
- Morning: meeting of Cardinal Fernando Filoni with the Knights and Dames at the Basilica
- Afternoon: civic pageant from the Ducal Palace to the Basilica with the traditional offering of candles
- Evening: brass band concert in Piazza XX Settembre
Sunday, July 5
- 11:00 AM: Solemn Mass presided over by Cardinal Fernando Filoni
- 7:15 PM: solemn procession with the statues of the patrons through the historic center
- Late evening: pyromusical show in the Orti del Duca area
Monday, July 6
- 7:00 PM: Thanksgiving Mass
- 8:00 PM: "Note in Canto" parish choir festival
Highlights Saint Martin Feast 2026
Prices Saint Martin Feast 2026
Practical information — Saint Martin Feast
When
The festival takes place every year between late June and early July, with the solemnity of the patrons and the main festivities held during the first weekend of July.
Where
The hub of the celebrations is the Basilica of Saint Martin in Piazza Plebiscito, in the historic center of Martina Franca. Processions, pageants, the fair, and the funfair take place in the main squares and streets of the center (Piazza Plebiscito, Piazza XX Settembre, Piazza Maria Immacolata, Corso Italia).
How to get there
Martina Franca is located in the Valle d'Itria, in the province of Taranto. It can be reached by car via the SS172 dei Trulli road and is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est railway line. During the festival, the historic center is pedestrianized: it is recommended to park in the outer areas.
Admission
All religious celebrations and public square performances are free and open to everyone. The fair and funfair offer their own paid activities.
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Where does it take place — Saint Martin Feast
Basilica di San Martino e centro storico
Piazza Plebiscito, 74015 Martina Franca