Pilgrimage to Montevergine - Mercogliano (AV)

DAY OF PENTECOST, SEPTEMBER 1ST, FEBRUARY 2ND

The pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montevergine (popularly known as “Juta”) is one of the most interesting and unique manifestations of devotion in Irpinia. The Sanctuary, an abbey complex located on Mount Partenio, 1270 metres above sea level, in the territory of Mercogliano, is visited by pilgrims several times a year.

There are three dates on which the pilgrimage takes place. The so-called Juta, which is of particular interest to the Neapolitan (and more generally Campanian) faithful, is held on Pentecost and the 1st of September. Many floats (sciaraballi) went up to the Sanctuary to pay homage to the Madonna, festively decorated with colourful garlands and other decorations, often surrounding a reproduction of the sacred image. Today, the “sciaraballi” have been joined by more modern motor vehicles (trucks, vans, tricycles), always festively decorated, to transport the pilgrims and the reproduction of the painting of Our Lady of Montevergine. It is also customary for the pilgrims to take to the top of the mountain the so-called “boat”, a scale model that usually reproduces the Sanctuary of Montevergine with the icon of the Virgin Mary, inside of which the “intentions” are placed, small pieces of paper on which the faithful write a petition, ask the Virgin for intercession or give thanks, and which are then burned with incense.

The third day of the pilgrimage is 2 February, Candlemas. On this occasion, most of the pilgrims are representatives of the LGBTQ+ world, so much so that in local slang the event is referred to as the ‘festa dei femmenielli’ (festival of the effeminate). The three components of the pilgrimage demonstrate not only the vitality of devotional practices linked to Christian values, but also the heterogeneity of participation, as an opportunity to encounter diversity and relate different expressions of faith that oscillate between the sacred and the profane.

The object of devotion is the Madonna of Montevergine, Our Lady of Hospitality, also known as Mamma Schiavona, an imposing icon painted in tempera on wood, one of the largest in the world, attributed to the painter Montano d’Arezzo and dating from the 13th century. It was commissioned by the Angevins of Naples. The Angevin and Bourbon rulers, as well as Prince Umberto of Savoy, were particularly devoted to the sanctuary and often visited it.

Going to Montevergine in the name of the Madonna is a complex experience that allows the creation of relationships, exchanges and the experience of being welcomed in a land that is not one’s own. On the part of those who welcome, there is hospitality, unconditional reciprocity, sharing without distinction. In this context, differences do not cancel each other out, but mix and confront each other in a continuous relationship between local and non-local identity.