San Nicola di Genna - Festa campestre a Castellana-Grotte

From Friday, **28 to Sunday, 30 August** 2026, the countryside around Castellana-Grotte will celebrate the Saint of Myra.

The charming little church of San Nicola di Genna, which hosts well-attended evening celebrations during the summer, will be the focus of the solemn festivities organized by the San Nicola di Genna Church Committee, chaired by Luigi Cassano, and sponsored by the Municipality of Castellana-Grotte as part of *Piazze d’estate*, the summer entertainment program carried out in collaboration with Grotte di Castellana srl and Multiservizi spa.

The August event in the pleasant Castellana countryside will feature religious observances and entertainment in a country festival that, despite the prevailing trend toward uniformity, retains its genuine freshness.

The festival of Saint Nicholas is dedicated to the saint most venerated in Christianity after the Madonna. Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and followers of various denominations pay homage to the myrrh-streaming saint—*myroblite* (from the Greek μυροβλύτης)—whose remains are said to emit an aromatic substance with healing properties, known as manna.

Naturally, this will also be the perfect opportunity to visit the small, bright and austere church, dating back to the 16th century and located on one of the most beautiful hills in the Castellana area: Genna, a place whose name is shrouded in mystery. Situated approximately 365 metres above sea level and just over 2 km from the town centre, at the intersection of no fewer than seven rural roads, the church overlooks the ancient Feudo di Genna. The area was once home to vineyards and is still characterized by surviving woodland and attractive fields planted with fruit trees.

The church itself stands in an area that has been inhabited since ancient times. The many ceramic finds discovered in the surrounding soil testify to the fact that the entire area was once populated. Nearby, visitors can see the well-known San Nicola di Genna snowhouse, an underground chamber dating from 1788. Recently restored, it is a valuable record of the paleoclimate of the Castellana area. To the south stand the Muro di Genna—the remains of a medieval structure whose origins have not been definitively established. Inside the church, visitors can admire a 1922 painting by Elvira Tauro depicting Saint Nicholas.

Here, finally, is the program of events sponsored by the Municipality of Castellana-Grotte.

The festivities will begin at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, 28 August, with a communal recitation of the Holy Rosary.

On Saturday, 29 August, at 7:00 p.m., the *Diana* will take place: the traditional firing of small cannon firecrackers that marks the beginning of popular festivals. At 7:15 p.m., the Holy Rosary will be recited, followed at 7:30 p.m. by a solemn Holy Mass. Finally, at 9:00 p.m., there will be music, entertainment and activities led by instructors Mimmo Bagnardi and Loredana Carriero.

On Sunday, 30 August, at 7:30 a.m., the church will open for worship, followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Father Vito Cassone, parish priest of Santa Maria del Caroseno. At 9:00 a.m., the *Diana*—the firing of the cannon firecrackers—will take place.

Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. At 7:00 p.m., the Holy Rosary and litanies to Saint Nicholas will be recited, followed at 7:30 p.m. by Solemn Mass presided over by Father Antonio Napoletano, parish priest of Il Salvatore.

At 8:30 p.m., there will be a solemn procession and the blessing of the surrounding district. At 9:00 p.m., musical entertainment will be provided by the Banda Castellana-Grotte association.

At 11:00 p.m., there will be a fireworks display by Emotions Fireworks, owned by Nicola Stasolla of Gioia del Colle. At 11:30 p.m., the evening will conclude with the drawing of the winning numbers in the prize lottery.

Finally, food stalls will offer delicious local specialties.

The artistic lighting will be provided by Paciello Francesco SAS of Monopoli, while the floral decorations will be supplied by “Ditelo con un fiore,” run by Marcello Allegretti.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the success of the festivities may make a donation, large or small, by visiting the little church during the Sunday evening celebration or by making a bank transfer to the following IBAN:

**IT66R0846941440000000035036**

The Committee thanks everyone who, in any capacity, has contributed to making these celebrations possible.

Auth. Daniela Lovece
info@vivicastellanagrotte.it
Web: www.vivicastellanagrotte.it...