Thousands pilgrimage to Viggiano's Black Madonna on Basilicata mountain

Each year, thousands of faithful gather in Viggiano, Basilicata, to celebrate the Black Madonna, patron saint of Lucania. On the first Sunday of May the statue is carried from the town’s basilica to the sanctuary on the Sacro Monte, a 12‑kilometre ascent that many pilgrims climb on foot, often barefoot, bearing flowers, candles and prayers.

The tradition reverses on the first Sunday of September, when the image is escorted back to the town. The ritual, rooted in centuries‑old devotion and linked to local agricultural cycles, reinforces regional identity and draws participants from across the area who walk the historic route amidst chants and religious songs.