Procession of the Madonna dell'Altomare

Andria's most cherished Marian feast

The Procession of the Madonna dell'Altomare is one of the most attended religious events in the Andria calendar. Celebrated annually on the first Tuesday after Pentecost, it transforms the historic center of Andria, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani (Puglia), into a long, moving prayer procession. The venerated image of the Virgin is carried on shoulders through the city streets, amidst torches, hymns, and an extraordinary turnout of people renewing a centuries-old devotion.

The origins: the miracle of 1598

The cult of the Madonna dell'Altomare dates back to 1598. Tradition tells of a young girl who fell into a cistern on the outskirts of the city, outside the ancient walls, and was found safe and dry three days later, held above the water level by an image of the Virgin. That effigy, named "dell'Altomare" because it was found at the water's surface, was immediately deemed miraculous and became the destination of an uninterrupted pilgrimage. The miracle brought to light an ancient rock-hewn church that had been forgotten.

The sanctuary at the foot of the Carmine

The Sanctuary of Maria SS.ma dell'Altomare stands in Piazza Altomare, at the foot of the Carmine convent complex, in an area once outside the walls of Andria. The facade is attributed to Federico Santacroce, and inside, it houses the sculpture The Pietà of the Altomare by Luigi Enzo Mattei, recognized by UNESCO as a "Heritage for a Culture of Peace." This is where the procession begins each year.

The route and atmosphere

The procession starts from Piazza Altomare and winds through the main arteries of the center: Via San Vito, Corso Cavour, Viale Roma, Piazza Umberto I, and many other streets, before returning to the sanctuary. The previous evening and the days of the Marian month are marked by moments of prayer, a suggestive candlelight procession, and the Day of the Magnificat, which involve the entire Andria community.

Andria and Marian devotion

For the people of Andria, the Madonna dell'Altomare is not just a religious festival, but a profound aspect of the collective identity of the Municipality of Andria. The procession unites different generations and attracts visitors and devotees from neighboring towns in Puglia, offering an authentic glimpse into Puglian popular religiosity.