Solemn Celebrations in honor of Maria SS. di Belvedere and the Battitura della 'Nzegna

A unique Easter tradition in Puglia

Every year, in the days following Easter, the town of Carovigno (in the province of Brindisi) hosts its most heartfelt event: the Solemn Celebrations in honor of Maria Santissima di Belvedere, the city's patron saint, centered around the spectacular ritual of the Battitura della 'Nzegna. It is an event that weaves together religious devotion, folklore, and historical re-enactment, drawing thousands of visitors and curious onlookers to the Salento historic center.

What is the 'Nzegna?

The 'nzegna is a multicolored flag composed of fabric triangles arranged around a central square, which depicts a ten-petaled flower, the so-called mystic rose. The symbol is rooted in the Byzantine-style Marian cult and represents the meeting between the Latin and Greek-Orthodox communities that once coexisted in this territory. It is therefore not merely a folkloric banner, but an emblem charged with spiritual significance.

The legend of its origin

A medieval legend tells of a sick nobleman who dreamt of the Virgin Mary, who pointed him toward an icon hidden in the territory of Carovigno. During the search, a shepherd found the sacred image in a cave while looking for his livestock: the man's joy erupted into gestures of waving a colored handkerchief, a movement that the 'battitori' still re-enact today. From that gesture, the dance of the 'nzegna was born.

The 'battitura', a dance of faith

The highlight is the battitura: two 'battitori' perform a true dance of faith to the rhythm of bass drums, drums, and flutes. Three beats of the bass drum mark their steps toward the center of the square, where they twirl the flag around their bodies and legs in increasingly complex evolutions before letting it soar into the air. According to popular tradition, the accidental dropping of the 'nzegna during the dance would be a bad omen for the city: for this reason, every movement is performed with extreme skill. Over three hundred participants in medieval costume and three local flag-waving groups take part in the festival.

The Sanctuary of Belvedere

The cult is linked to the Sanctuary of Maria SS. di Belvedere, built over caves once inhabited by Basilian monks and adorned with valuable frescoes. During the festival days, the faithful reach the sanctuary on a pilgrimage, walking from the Mother Church along a path that connects the town to the sacred site nestled in the Carovigno countryside.

When it takes place

The celebrations are concentrated in the days following Easter—traditionally Easter Monday and Tuesday and the following Saturday—with solemn masses, city processions, the symbolic handing over of the city keys, and fireworks displays. The Battitura della 'Nzegna remains the heart of Carovigno's identity and one of the most authentic expressions of Puglia's intangible heritage.