The Madonna della Fonte is the patron saint of Conversano, celebrated with a festival held annually on the last Sunday of May, featuring both civil and religious celebrations. „Fonte” means source, or fountain. The festival includes processions, bands, luminaries, fireworks, hot air balloon launches, and sports and cultural activities.
The legend of the Madonna della Fonte of Conversano tells that, during a mission in Africa, Bishop Simplicio found an icon of the Madonna in a temple that was about to be destroyed by fire during the Arian persecution. Simplicio saved it and took it with him by sea to Puglia, but a storm pushed the vessel toward Cozze, a village near Conversano, instead of Polignano a Mare. The people of Conversano, who flocked to the site en masse, interpreted this event as a sign of the Madonna’s will to protect the city, and so the icon was carried in procession to Conversano, becoming their protector.
The festival is a moment of great religious and civic importance for Conversano, an opportunity to celebrate its patron saint, Maria Santissima della Fonte, and to strengthen the bond between the
community and its traditions.
