On the third Sunday of September, the historic town of Putignano gathers to honor its co-patron saint, Maria Santissima Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows). This deeply moving celebration marks the end of summer in the Murgia region and draws thousands of faithful and visitors to the town’s elegant baroque streets for one of Puglia’s most authentic religious festivals.

A Tradition Rooted in Centuries

Putignano, famous worldwide for its Carnevale (Italy’s oldest carnival), has a spiritual heart that beats just as strongly. The town has two patron saints: Santo Stefano Protomartire (celebrated August 3) and Maria SS Addolorata, whose feast falls on the third Sunday of September. The Addolorata devotion is particularly profound here — the Chiesa Madre di San Pietro Apostolo houses a revered statue of the sorrowful Virgin, an exquisite work by local sculptor Stefano da Putignano, the Renaissance master whose polychrome stone sculptures grace churches across Puglia.

The Celebration

The festa blends solemn liturgy with the warmth of a community gathering:

Pontifical Mass — The celebration opens with a solemn Mass in the Chiesa Madre, often presided over by the Bishop of Conversano-Monopoli, with the statue of the Addolorata prominently displayed near the altar.
Evening Procession — As dusk falls, the simulacro (statue) of the sorrowful Virgin, dressed in black velvet embroidered with gold, is carried through Putignano’s historic streets. The procession is accompanied by the town band playing funeral marches and Marian hymns, and by thousands of devotees holding candles.
Luminarie and Lighting — The main corso and Piazza Plebiscito are illuminated by Puglia’s iconic luminarie archways, creating a dramatic chiaroscuro contrast with the somber tones of the procession.
Fireworks and Community Feast — After the religious observances, the festa shifts to celebration: a spettacolo pirotecnico lights up the Murgia sky, and food stalls serve Putignano’s local specialties including farinella (roasted chickpea and barley flour) and taralli.

Visiting Putignano in September

September is an ideal time to explore Putignano and the surrounding Murgia. The summer crowds have thinned, temperatures are pleasant, and the town’s historic center — with its baroque churches, the Grotta di Putignano karst cave system, and the Palazzo del Balì — rewards unhurried exploration. The festa provides a perfect window into the town’s deep-rooted spirituality, a side of Putignano that many Carnevale visitors never see.

All events are free and open to the public. Putignano is a 45-minute drive from Bari and well-connected by Ferrovie Sud-Est trains from Bari Centrale.