017: An Italian feast you have to see (or hear) to believe

Learn all about the feast of the Madonna of Sovereto in Terlizzi and Sovereto in Puglia, Italy. From carts several stories tall to shepherd boys, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the celebration. So pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy the festivities!

Topics we cover:

The change in Italian clothing in August

The difference between a feast and a festival

The story of the Madonna of Sovereto

The Knights Templars’ frescos in Sovereto

What is a “black Madonna”

How oxen played an important part in determining where the Madonna now lives

Why the bloody ox still has a prominent place in the feast

The difference between a triumphal cart and a float

The construction of this massive (5 story tall) cart for the festival

How the cart is manually pushed through the town by a group of men

Why throwing candy at the kids in the cart isn’t such a nice thing

Why they have to put gravel down on one corner

How the cart is steered through the town

The meat of the feast

A special delicacy everyone eats during the feast

The other part of the ceremony that takes place on April 23

Why the Madonna is also known as the Madonna of the Water

Why Steven likes this part of the feast as it’s one giant block party for the whole town of Terlizzi

How people refer to their apartments as houses and their stand-alone houses as villas

The World War II frescos that were the highlight of this year’s feast for us

Popeye, Oliveoil and more that were on the frescos

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Photos of the festival

A special thanks to Maria Pansini. All the black and white photos are hers.

The cart coming down the street.

The Madonna making her way to the cart.

The shepherd who leads the procession.

Getting ready.

Chaos in the streets.

The honor guard steering the cart.

The cart entering the square.

The oxen.

Pushing the cart.

The other part of the festival in April that is one giant block party.

The World War II frescos we saw.

Oliveoil. So fitting to be found in Puglia.

The names on the wall. Anyone know anyone here?