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One of the most evocative places in Basilicata related to spirituality is the Minor Basilica and Sanctuary of Maria SS. Regina di Anglona in Tursi.
The devotion to Santa Maria Regina di Anglona (Matera) has very ancient origins and is rooted in the legend of a young shepherd who, while grazing his flock on a small hill halfway between Tursi and Anglona, saw a beautiful lady approach him. The shepherd boy, inhibited, let the lady approach and listened carefully to her words: “go to the village and invite all the inhabitants to come and get me.”
The shepherd obeyed, ran to the village, and shouted to the people to rush to the hill to get the beautiful lady. Amid disbelief and curiosity, the people set off to see who the lady was, and upon reaching the little hill, they found the statue of the Madonna. At that point, the message left to the young shepherd became clearer: the Madonna appeared to ask him to be taken to her sanctuary.
On May 19, 1901, Bishop Carmelo Pujia crowned the Virgin Mary “Queen of Anglona,” and from that moment on, the small Lucanian village would remain faithful to her forever.
It’s an ancient sanctuary, an important place of worship and Marian devotion, located on the sacred hill of Anglona, in the Lucanian municipality of Tursi, in the province of Matera.
Even reaching it is evocative, with roads nestled in the ravines that lead from the moon to spirituality but also to the history and beauty of the blending of cultures that have left their mark on our Basilicata.
Every year, the sacred effigy is carried in procession from the Sanctuary to the village: it’s the first Sunday after Easter when, carried on the shoulders of pilgrims, it is brought to the Cathedral of Maria Santissima dell’Annunziata in Tursi, 12 kilometers from the hill. The statue remains in the cathedral for two weeks, then usually returns, often on May 1st, still carried by the faithful, to the Sanctuary of Anglona.
The journey is undertaken in an atmosphere of total devotion, during which pilgrims pray, sing hymns, and experience intense contact with the Virgin.
Every year, from the 1st to the 8th of September, religious services, musical concerts, and various fairs take place on the hill of Anglona.
September 8th is the day dedicated to the Madonna. On this day, thousands of faithful from all parts of the diocese gather on the hill to celebrate with solemn masses, prayer vigils, songs, fireworks, and processions.
Many emigrant Tursitani return from distant countries to be present and participate in the most heartfelt celebration of the diocese’s people, who demonstrate their devotion to the Virgin with votive acts and ancient customs.
Days
08 September 24
08 September 24
From
Information/To know
Suitable for Everybody
Wheelchair accessible
Location/The place
Address
Basilica Minore e Santuario "Maria SS. Regina di Anglona", Strada Provinciale Tursi - Policoro, Tursi, MT, Italia
How to get there
By plane, the nearest international airports are: Bari Palese, ideal for the Jonic coast area and the province of Matera. Naples Capodichino, preferred for the Maratea coast and the province of Potenza. Lamezia Terme, to reach the Pollino National Park. By train, Trenitalia and FAL connect Potenza and Matera with Bari, Foggia, Naples, and Salerno every day, reaching the final destination with an integrated train-bus system. Several transport companies provide bus trips to and from Basilicata from Northern Italy and various foreign countries. By car, Basilicata can be reached from the North by following the Adriatic coast along the A14 Bologna-Taranto highway, and from the Tyrrhenian side by taking the A2 Autostrada del Mediterraneo. For more information, visit the Autostrade per l'Italia website. The Maratea Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 39°59'16" N - 15°42'59" E), the Marina di Policoro Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 40°12′,18 N 16°44′,06 E), and the Argonauts Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 40°20′,00 N 16°49′,05 E).
