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Feast of Saint Tryphon in Adelfia

Twelve November days for the patron saint of a town near Bari, with dawn processions, fireworks contests, hot-air balloons and brass bands

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The story

Tryphon was a young Christian from Phrygia, in Asia Minor. According to tradition he was born in Lampsacus (other sources say Nicaea) and was beheaded at Nicaea in 250, aged about eighteen, during the persecution under Emperor Decius. He is invoked as the protector of farmers, gardeners and winegrowers. In 809 his relics were brought to Kotor, in today's Montenegro, where a basilica was built in his honour that is now the city's cathedral; in Italy his feast is still celebrated on 10 November.

In Montrone, the quarter that since 1927 has formed the town of Adelfia together with Canneto, his cult is documented from 1667, when an altar to the saint was set up in the church of Santa Maria del Principio. Tradition links his patronage to a 17th-century plague from which Saint Tryphon is said to have protected the town. By 1761, 10 November was already a holy day of obligation; in 1783 the statue now kept in the mother church of Saint Nicholas of Bari was carved, and in 1839 a relic of the saint reached Montrone. From 1913 onwards the outdoor celebrations grew year after year into the town's biggest feast.

The 2026 programme, issued by the parish of Saint Nicholas of Bari and the festival committee, runs from 1 to 12 November, with the octave on the 22nd. Alongside the novena there are days dedicated to the dead, to farming and to emigrants, the Saint Tryphon's Fair and an all-night street party; on 8 November the saint's relics arrive from Kotor, leaving again on the 12th. On the evening of the 9th the painting of the saint is carried in procession and the sky fills with hot-air balloons. The 10th begins at 4 am with a cannon shot and the "Aspirazioni", the dawn prayers, followed by the procession, the handing over of the town's keys and two fireworks contests, by day and by night. Brass bands from Rutigliano, Ailano, Gioia del Colle, Conversano, Gimigliano and Triggiano play in the streets, along with the Bassa Musica drummers of Molfetta.

Schedule

  • Start of the novena, nine days of prayer to Saint Tryphon (until 9 November); 5:00 pm, opening firecrackers and a parade through town by the Triggiano band and the Bassa Musica drummers of Molfetta
  • 3:00 pm, procession from the mother church to the cemetery; 3:30 pm, Mass and blessing of the Cross of the Fallen of 1799
  • Farming day: 9:00 am, blessing of the olive mills and farm machinery; 6:30 pm, historical pageant and parade of banners
  • 7:00 am, Saint Tryphon's Fair; 5:00 pm, welcome of the relics of Saint Tryphon arriving from Kotor, Montenegro
  • 8:30 pm, "Aspettando San Trifone" all-night street party and the lamb and new wine feast (Sagra dell'agnello e del vino novello) in the old town
  • Eve of the feast: 7:30 pm, procession of the painting of Saint Tryphon; 8:00 pm, launch of a hot-air balloon; 9:00 pm, "La Notte delle Lanterne", a carousel of paper balloons in Piazza Leone XIII
  • 11:30 pm, fireworks barrage in the San Severo style
  • 4:00 am, the traditional cannon shot, rosary and devotional prayers to Saint Tryphon (the "Aspirazioni"); 4:30 am, first of the day's Masses
  • 10:00 am, solemn Mass; 11:30 am, procession of the saint's statue; 12:00 noon, traditional handing over of the keys of the town
  • 2:30 pm, daytime fireworks contest between five companies; 9:00 pm, evening fireworks contest between four companies, followed by the "Fire on the Beat" pyromusical show
  • 10:00 am, solemn Mass with the civil and military authorities; 11:00 am, procession of the statue and the relics
  • 8:00 pm, procession bringing the painting of Saint Tryphon back to the church and the traditional hot-air balloon launch; 11:00 pm, fireworks display
  • 8:00 am, Mass and farewell to the relics of Saint Tryphon before they return to Kotor
  • Octave of the feast: 10:00 am, procession of the statue to the cemetery; 6:30 pm, solemn Mass and return of the statue to its niche; 9:00 pm, closing fireworks

What to eat

The dish of the feast is grilled lamb: chops and offal roasted over the embers, known locally as "nghimmiredde", served with raw celery, provolone cheese and local wine.

In 2026, on the evening of 8 November, during the all-night street party, the old town hosts the third lamb and new wine feast (Sagra dell'agnello e del vino novello); the same morning Saint Tryphon's Fair fills the streets with stalls.

Local tips

  • Parking

    On 9, 10 and 11 November the center of Montrone fills up and the processions wind through the streets: leave the car away from the center and walk. From Bari you can also take the Ferrovie del Sud Est train to Adelfia station.

  • Payments

    Bring some cash for the fair, the food feast and the festival stalls.

  • Crowds and timing

    The busiest days are 9 and 10 November. For the balloons on the evening of the 9th in Piazza Leone XIII and the evening fireworks contest on the 10th, arrive early; fireworks times can slip.

  • What to wear

    November evenings, and especially the early morning of the 10th with the 4 am cannon shot, are chilly: dress in layers. In church, dress as you would for any place of worship.

Getting there

The feast centers on the mother church of Saint Nicholas of Bari, in the Montrone quarter. Bari Airport is about 24 km away, just under half an hour by car; from Bari city take the SS100 road or the Ferrovie del Sud Est train.

How to get to Adelfia: full guide

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Frequently asked questions

When is the Feast of Saint Tryphon in Adelfia in 2026?

From 1 to 12 November 2026. The saint's day is Tuesday 10 November; the eve on the 9th and the 11th are the other highlights. The octave, closing the celebrations, is on Sunday 22 November.

What time is the cannon shot on 10 November?

At 4:00 am: the cannon shot opens the day, followed by the rosary and the "Aspirazioni" prayers to Saint Tryphon. The first Mass is at 4:30 am.

When are the fireworks?

On 10 November there are two fireworks contests, at 2:30 pm and 9:00 pm, followed by the "Fire on the Beat" pyromusical show. Further displays are scheduled on the 9th at 11:30 pm, the 11th at 11:00 pm and the 22nd at 9:00 pm.

When are the hot-air balloons launched?

On 9 November at 8:00 pm and at 9:00 pm with "La Notte delle Lanterne" in Piazza Leone XIII, then on 11 November at 8:00 pm, after the procession bringing the saint's painting back to church.

Do I need a ticket?

No: the processions, band concerts and fireworks are free to watch in the streets.

Explore the area

Poster for Feast of Saint Tryphon in Adelfia 2026
Official event poster