Festa della Madonna Bruna is celebrated July 2 in the city of Matera, an interesting town with cave dwellings, sassi, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. A huge float of the Madonna Bruna is paraded through town. Finally the statue is attacked, torn apart, and burned accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display over the sassi, the best fireworks display I’d ever seen. Read more about the Festa della Madonna Bruna with a few pictures, from James Martin, Europe for Visitors.
