Crowd of faithful at the procession of the Madonna dell’Altomare

According to tradition, in fact, after days of searching, the little girl was found healthy and dry, supported by an image of the Madonna above the water level. The image was called Madonna dell’Altomare, for having been found on the surface of the water, and from that moment it was the object of pilgrimage as it was considered miraculous.

Since then the devotion to this Madonna has grown more and more in Andria and beyond. The procession in honor of her has become a rite of faith and authentic popular vocation, which has been renewed again this year with this event which attracts many faithful: many young people, the elderly, women and entire families with their little ones following.

The beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary left the church dedicated to her shortly after 6pm to walk along some city streets. Two wings of the crowd formed the backdrop to the long procession which from Piazza Altomare wound its way along Via San Vito, Via Imperatore Costantino, Via Dei Gracchi, Via Giustiniano, Via Don Riccardo Lotti, Via Annunziata, Piazza Porta la Barra, Via Orsini, piazza Ruggero Settimo, via Jannuzzi, piazza Imbriani, via Regina Margherita, via Duca di Genova, c.so Cavour, v.le Roma, piazza Trieste e Trento, via Vespucci, via Ferrucci, piazza Umberto I, via Attimonelli, San Lorenzo slope , via Porta Nuova, via Carmine and then, ending in piazza Altomare.

Thanks to Michele Guida for the beautiful images created.