Welcoming of the Lavello Pilgrims in Orta Nova

A century-old ritual of faith

Every year in late April, a tradition spanning over a century connects two communities from different regions: Orta Nova, in the heart of the Tavoliere plain in the province of Foggia (Apulia), and Lavello, in the province of Potenza (Basilicata). Each year, a group of pilgrims from Lavello sets out on foot toward the Sanctuary of the Madonna Incoronata in Foggia, covering over forty kilometers accompanied by tractors decorated with Marian imagery. In 2026, the 139th edition of this pilgrimage was celebrated, a tradition with roots dating back to the late 19th century and passed down from generation to generation.

The welcome in Orta Nova

Orta Nova is the most anticipated stop on the journey. When the group from Lavello arrives in town, the Pro Loco Orta Nova APS and the entire community gather along Corso Umberto I, near the local health authority (ASL), to welcome the faithful with a traditional shower of rose petals during the procession, paying homage to the image of the Madonna Incoronata. The pilgrims then reach the Church of the Beata Vergine Maria dell'Altomare, where they pause for prayer before spending the night as guests of local families.

Traditions, songs, and flavors of the Tavoliere

This welcome is not just a religious moment; it is a vibrant community festival. The Pro Loco enlivens the evening with Marian hymns, traditional dances, and local dishes, providing refreshment to the travelers and the community alike. It is a unique opportunity to rediscover the ancient Marian traditions of the Tavoliere and to strengthen a bond of hospitality that is renewed with every generation.

The journey continues toward the Incoronata

At dawn the following day, the pilgrims resume their journey toward Borgo Incoronata and the Sanctuary, where the feast of the apparition of the Madonna Incoronata is celebrated. The departure from Orta Nova, in the silence of the morning, is one of the most intense and moving moments of the entire event.

A spiritual bridge between Apulia and Basilicata

Over the years, the Welcoming of the Lavello Pilgrims has become a true spiritual twinning between Orta Nova and Lavello in the name of the Madonna Incoronata. It is an event that tells the story of the deep identity of the Apulian Tavoliere—a land of faith, earth, and community—and is a must-experience for anyone wishing to discover the most authentic side of Apulia.