The last week in April is dedicated entirely to the veneration of the Crowned Virgin Mary. Following the solemn preparation of the statue, which takes place on Wednesday, Friday is the day of the joyous "Ride of the Angels", or Cavalcata degli Angeli: floats decorated and drawn by tractors parade children and youths in costumes to represent episodes of Marian tradition. Saturday is reserved for the opening of the sanctuary, for an entire month later, a stream of pilgrims will arrive here, even from abroad. The pilgrims and the participants of the Cavalcata themselves, before entering the temple, will walk around the temple three times, raising their voices in song to honour the Holy Trinity.
Event History:
The parade commemorates the descent of the angels into the Wood of the Crowned Virgin following the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1001 to the count of Ariano and a farmer known as Strazzacappa.
Patron Saint History:
Inside the sacred building dedicated to the Incoronata, erected in 1066 and reconstructed at the end of the 1950s, is a lovely wooden sculpture of the Madonna that dates back to the XIII century.
Sources: By the editorial staff Updated on: 15/04/2009
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia