The legend of Santa Maria a Mare. The Madonna found on the beach

Today we want to tell you the legend linked to the Madonna di Santa Maria a mare, patroness of Maiori and Santa Maria di Castellabate.

Legend has it that at the beginning of 1200 a ship coming from the East, was caught in a terrible storm. In order not to sink, the sailors tried to lighten the load by throwing all the goods they were carrying overboard.

A few days later, some Maiori fishermen drawing their fishing nets, among various objects belonging to the ship, saw a beautiful wooden statue depicting the Virgin Mary. They brought it back to the village and since then it has been kept in the church of San Michele Arcangelo, later transformed into the church of Santa Maria a Mare.

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare is a church that dates back to the XNUMXth century and has been rebuilt several times over the centuries.

The church takes its name from a legend according to which a statue of the Madonna was found on the beach by fishermen from Maiori who brought her to safety on the mainland. Even today they are the fishermen, descendants of those who beached the precious effigy, to carry it on his shoulders in procession on August 15th.

Over the centuries, the sanctuary has undergone numerous restorations and architectural modifications, but the current structure mainly dates back to the XNUMXth century.

The feast of Santa Maria a mare

La party in honor of Santa Maria a Mare is a very important celebration for the city of Maiori, in the province of Salerno. The first a ferragosto and on the third Sunday of November and represents one of the most awaited moments of the year.

The event includes the procession of the statue of the Madonna along the city streets, accompanied by the archpriest, the faithful and a musical band. During the procession, the statue is carried up to boats, which are located in the port and which are decorated with flowers and colored ribbons.

Once out to sea, the boats merge into one big one nautical procession, which ends with the blessing of the Madonna and the launch of a wreath of flowers in the sea.

The highlight of the celebration is the festa defireworks, which takes place in the evening, in which the skies of Maiori light up with colors and lights.

During the festival, the city of Maiori also hosts sporting competitions, concerts and tastings of typical local products, offering visitors an unforgettable experience.