Festa della Madonna Bruna

Festa della Madonna Bruna

When: July 2nd

Where: Matera in Basilicata

Background

The Patron Saint of Matera is Maria Santissima della Bruna – July 2nd marks her Saint's Day, and it's marked by a day-long festival. The Festa Della Bruna is said to have been started at the request of Pope Urban VI on 9th November 1389 – the story goes that a peasant agreed to take a mysterious noblewoman to Matera on condition that the woman left the traino before Matera so as to not raise any possible questions. But by the time the peasant reached Matera, the woman had mysteriously vanished – all that remained was a statue. In a letter written by the woman that was given to the Bishop, it revealed that the woman was the Virgin Mary. The statue was welcomed by both the Bishop and clergy and after being carried three times around the Piazza del Duomo, was taken in procession around the Cathedral.

The Event

The main event is the procession that flanks a statue of the Madonna and child. The statues are escorted at midday to a float made out of papier-mâchè in the neighbourhood of Piccianello – which is close to the church of Annuziata, which is said to be the location of the aforementioned event concerning the Virgin Mary. The float and statue are then ushered by costumed men on horseback, in procession, and taken back to the Cathedral. After carrying the float three rimes around the Piazza del Duomo, the statues are placed inside the Cathedral.

Following this, the procession's solemnity is replaced by the decimation of the float. The townsfolk will smash the float to pieces, and it is said that anyone who claims a piece of papier-mâchè will be blessed by good luck for the next year. The event ends with a large-scale fireworks contest above the old quarters of the Sassi.