On September 7th and 8th in Ischia di Castro the Madonna of Giglio is celebrated with solemn religious services in the sanctuary in the nearby countryside.
The sanctuary was built on the site where a shepherd had seen a woman who was nursing while looking for a lost sheep. The woman told him that a shrine would have to be built in the place where a lily would bloom in winter.
The sanctuary has been present at least since 1478 when it was mentioned in a report on the visit of the bishop of Castro. Inside you can admire two 15th century frescoes representing a breastfeeding Madonna holding a white lily with one hand (hence the name of the Madonna).
The second fresco represents instead the crucifixion with an angel that collects the blood of Christ.
The procession takes place on the evening of 7th with the group carrying sacred images parading through the streets of the centre accompanied by the local band.
The solemn mass and the ritual lunch then take place on September 8th.
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