🌾 Madonna del Monte Festival (Barabbata) – Marta: A Hymn to the Land and Tradition

Every year on May 14th, the lakeside village of Marta, on the shores of Lake Bolsena, comes alive with one of the oldest and most captivating folk events in Tuscia: the Barabbata, or Madonna del Monte Festival.A celebration that weaves together faith, rural life, and peasant memory into a collective ritual of extraordinary beauty.

🏛️ Origins and Meaning

The Barabbata has ancient origins, likely dating back to the Middle Ages, and even further to pagan fertility rites.Today, it is a solemn procession of thanksgiving to the Madonna del Monte for the harvests, fishing, livestock, and prosperity.

It is a moment of profound devotion and a proud affirmation of Marta’s identity, celebrating the deep connection between humanity and nature.

🎠 The Heart of the Festival: The Procession

The day begins at dawn, with a grand procession that involves the entire community:

• 🚜 Decorated carts: drawn by oxen or tractors, lavishly adorned with wheat sheaves, flowers, farming tools, and religious symbols

• 🐄 Animals: oxen, horses, sheep, donkeys, and poultry parade as symbolic offerings to the Madonna

• 👩‍🌾 Guilds: farmers, fishermen, artisans, and herders march in traditional attire, re-enacting Marta’s ancestral trades and crafts

• 🎶 Music and folk songs: local bands and choirs accompany the entire procession, creating an atmosphere of joy and spirituality

The climb to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, perched on a hill overlooking the lake, is the emotional high point of the day.

🌿 The Participating Guilds

• Casenghi (livestock breeders)

• Contadini (farmers)

• Villani (shepherds)

• Pescatori (fishermen)

• Bifolchi (ox drivers)

• Artigiani (artisans)

Each group carries symbolic offerings: from fish to cheese, bread to tools — forming a choreographed tribute to labor and life.

🍖 Rural Feasting and Festive Atmosphere

After the procession, the celebration continues with:

• 🍷 Traditional feasts: featuring peasant dishes, local wines, lake fish, and typical desserts

• 🎉 Folk games and live music: outdoor entertainment that lasts all day

• 🛍️ Craft markets: selling typical products, local handmade goods, and festival souvenirs

📅 2025 Edition – Key Information

📌 Event	📆 Date
Madonna del Monte Festival	May 14, 2025

📍 Location

Marta (VT), Lake Bolsena

Highlights: Procession, decorated carts, rural feasts, folk music(Tip: Arrive early to witness the morning procession and enjoy the full day of festivities.)

✨ An Event to Feel with the Heart

Joining the Barabbata means immersing yourself in an authentic atmosphere, made of effort, joy, faith, and festivity.It’s an intangible heritage that Marta proudly preserves, and that every visitor carries home like a precious memory.

A journey into the land, memory, and deepest roots of Tuscia. 🌸