Feast dedicated to Saint Joseph

In the old town centre, in the suburbs, nearby churchs, or in the country, people set piles of woods on fire in order to welcome the new season: the “falò” of Saint Joseph. During the making of falòs, the Saint Joseph confraternity and many citizens organize little musical shows offering ‘focaccia’ and local sweetmeat to visitors.

March 25th

Fair of Annunziata

Designated by Roberto D’Angiò or probably by his newphew Giovanna I in 1358, this fair, as well as many similar activities of that time, was free from customs duties.

The fair started on march 25th and it lasted for 8 days. At present, the fair lasts only one day and takes place nearby ‘villa comunale’, the Harbour, largo Plebiscito and via Garibaldi.

There you can find: clothes flowers, toys, cosmetics, costume jewelleries, tools.... and many more.

Venerdì Santo

Processione del Crocifisso dell'Addolorata e dei Misteri

La Processione inizia sempre alle 19 e prende il via dalla chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi dove le statue dei misteri (Cristo all'orto, alla colonna, con la croce, crocifisso e morto nel giaciglio) vengono custodite per tutto l'anno. Il lungo corteo di fedeli è preceduto dalle statue sorrette dai confratelli delle diverse congregazioni religiose. 

Il tutto è scandito dal rullar dei "crepitacoli" (le "trènele", in dialetto, parola che in greco indica il "lamento"). Si tratta di legni piatti sui quali sono inchiodati, in fila, i battenti delle porte e che agitati producono un insistente scalpitio. Furono introdotti nel 1600 in sostituzione delle "prèfiche" (donne pagate per piangere il morto) che con i loro "schiamazzi" intralciavano le celebrazioni. 

La processione ha un attimo di pausa quando giunge davanti alla chiesa del Purgatorio (Santa Maria del Suffragio). Di qui i confratelli portano a spalla la statua di Maria SS. Addolorata, che si unisce alla processione seguendo il figlio in croce.

1st week of May

Feast dedicated to S. Francesco da Paola
Next to the church with the same name. (SS. Trinità church)

Last week of May

Feast of “Regina Pacis” parish church
Procession with the picture of the Virgin.
At night, fair of “zucchina alla poverella” (dried zucchini cut in little discs, then fried and served with oil, mint and vinegar).

1st weekend of June

Feast dedicated to SS. Medici Cosma and Damiano
Beautiful illuminations in ‘corso Umberto’ and in Vittorio Emanuele square underline the solemnity of the feast.
Belivers, clergy and town authorities take part to the procession dedicated to the ‘Santi Medici’ with lighted candles as symbol of devotion for the miracles that the two Saints still performe healing people who are ill.

2nd Sunday of June

“Corpus Domini” procession
along the streets of the town. Final Holy Mass in the Cathedral.

June 13th

Feast dedicated to St. Anthony
It takes place in the little square in front of the church. The church is also called’ ‘Maria delle Grazie’

June 23th

Feast dedicated to Giovanni Battista
You wait the midnight of 24th dining and tasting delicious spaghetti with a particular sauce made of olives, capers and salted anchovies: the so-called ‘pasta di S. Giovanni’.

Last week of June

Feast of ‘S.Cuore” parish church
Illuminations from the church to ‘piazza Roma’. Musical shows, fair of fried fish. In the afternoon there are some games organized buy young people. There’s also a procession and at night, a children festival.

July 26th

Feast dedicated to “Sant’Anna”
It takes place nearby the newly church dedicated to St. Anne. The program of the feast consists of beautiful illuminations, music and fair of ‘panzerotti’, our local speciality.

July 31th

At midnight the icon of Madonna della Madia (Patron Saint of the town) situated on the top of the bell tower is lighted up. Moreover, there is also a music performance by the band group of the town.

August 14th

ore 20.00

Commemoration of the miraculous landing of the raft with the holy icon of Madonna della Madia
This summer appointment is linked with the one of December 16th. In August, besides the religious program, Vittorio Emanuele square is adorned with outstanding illuminations. Moreover there are performances of music groups and classic music concerts.

September 18th, 19th, 20th

Feast dedicated to S. Gennaro
Designated in 1997 by the ‘pro-loco’ association on the occasion of the return of the statue of the Saint at the foot of the old civic tower in Garibaldi square.

September 26th

Feast dedicated to SS. Medici
‘S. Domenico’ church houses the solemn celebrations dedicated to ‘San Cosimo and Damiano’. It’s the second feast of the year dedicated to the two Saints, which takes place in ‘XX Settembre’ square adorned with illuminations.

1st Sunday of October

Feast dedicated to ‘Madonna del Rosario’
It takes place in Saint Vincent church nearby ‘XX settembre’ square.

December 12th, 13th

Fair of ‘Santa Lucia’
From the day before till the night of December 13th, many stalls crowd Cavour street. A trade-fair of nearly 500 meters long, which takes place in front of the church, is dedicated to the Virgin, holy Protector of the eyesight. The fair is opened all night long and you can find toys, flowers, and many christmas decorations. Moreover you can find traditional earthware.

December 16th

Feast at seaside ...
..with the arrival in the Harbour of the miraculous raft of Madonna della Madia (Sacred image of the Virgin).
The Cathedral that the bishop Romualdo had built in 1117, has been covered with beams got on Dec. 16th 1117 with the Sacred image of the Virgin. The name of the Virgin is, in fact, ‘Madia’ that means “wood beam”.

January 6th

Holy representition of the “Magi”
It takes place every year since 1951. Rossella Mancini wrote the first texts about this event. In “contrada Antonelli”, young people of the ‘Santuario Maria Regina’ church make the stage representation of the event.

Last sunday of May

Feast in ‘contrada Virbo’ dedicated to S. Michele Arcangelo
The little square nearby the church is adorned with illuminations, there’s a concert by ‘banda di Locorotondo’ and feast of ‘panzerotti’.
You can reach the church taking SS 377 which connects Monopoli to Castellana.

1st Saturday of July

Feast of free-range chicken, in contrada cozzana 377. the ‘Madonna del Rosario association’ promotes culture and territory of ‘contrada Cozzana’ thanks to gastronomic feasts and cultural performances of any kind.

Last Saturday of July

Contrada Cozzana, Madonna del Rosario cultural association, feast of panzarotti and fritters.

1st Sunday of August

Feast in contrada Santa Lucia
dedicated to the Saint. The district is adorned with illuminations, music entertainment and fireworks. Feast of ‘focaccia’.

2nd Sunday of August

Feast dedicated to ‘contrada Cristo Re’
music and beautiful illuminations, feast of ‘bruschette’, of typical sweetmeat and of homemade icecream.

August 13th

Contrada Virbo, feast of the farmyard

1st Saturday after August holiday

Contrada Cozzana - Feast of typical apulian dishes and of roast rabbit with potatoes at Madonna del Rosario cultural association. At night, live music and dancing.

4th weekend of August

On the south coast of Monopoli, in ‘contrada Losciale’, feast of roast octopus. It takes place between two beautiful farms: Masseria Pittore and Masseria Losciale( Meo-Evoli)
Music entertainment and fireworks.

Last weekend of august

Feast in ‘contrada Sicarico’
Feast dedicated to to ‘Sacra Famiglia’. Feast of fritters.
Feast in ‘contrada l’Assunta’ dedicated to ‘Vergine Immacolata’. Feast of sausage

1st weekend of September

Feast dedicated to Maria Regina in ‘contrada Antonelli
Feast of ‘orecchiette’, served with fresh tomato sauce and cheese, feast of fritters.

2nd weekend of September

Feast in Contrada Impalata
dedicated to Maria SS Addolorata (holy Mass in the morning and at night). Feast of fritters, ‘brasciola’ and meatballs.

2nd Saturday of September

Feast in Contrada Petrarolo
Feast of 'panzerotto'

3nd Saturday of September

Feast in Contrada Cozzana
Feast of 'porchetta'

3rd weekend of September

Feast in ‘contrada San Gerardo’
Feast of ‘panzerotto’

4rd weekend of September

Feast in ‘contrada Gorgofreddo’
Feast of fritters and ‘pettole’

1st weekend of October

Feast in contrada Cozzana
Feast of panzerotto.