The Feast of the Madonna della Civita, celebrated every July 21, is the most important event for the people of Itri and devotees across the region. Devotion to the Madonna della Civita dates back in time, to 1527, a year marked by a miraculous divine intervention during a plague epidemic in the Kingdom of Naples.
Historical accounts describe how, in that year, the people of Itri fervently prayed to the Madonna, seeking relief from the devastating plague threatening the population. It is said that as the procession with the sacred image approached the town, a dark cloud enveloped the sky. Suddenly, it cleared, bringing a sense of liberation and gratitude. July 21, 1527, became the day of this miraculous event, a symbol of protection and divine intercession.
From that moment, July 21 became the annual celebration date for the Madonna della Civita, honoured both at the Sanctuary on Monte Civita and in the town of Itri. Every year, through solemn processions and religious rites, the community gathers in devotion, remembering the miracle and expressing gratitude to the Heavenly Mother.
The feast is not only an occasion for prayer and reflection but also a time for reunion and unity among the people of Itri and devotees from neighbouring towns, who return to Itri to honour the Madonna della Civita. During the day, the Sanctuary on Monte Civita becomes a pilgrimage site, while the town comes alive with religious celebrations, processions, and activities involving the entire community. It is a moment of remembrance and celebration of Itri’s historical and religious roots, where devotion to the Madonna della Civita is renewed each year.
