From August 13 to 15, the City of Otranto celebrates the Saint Martyrs, patrons of the City and the Archdiocese. Canonized on May 12, 2013, by Pope Francis, they are commemorated through annual celebrations with large participation from the diocesan community.

PROGRAM

Religious Celebrations

August 1–12 – 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral: Eucharistic Celebration and Thirteen-Day Devotion led by the pastoral areas of the Archdiocese.
August 13
9:30 p.m. on Colle dei Martiri: Diocesan Prayer Vigil
August 14 – Liturgical Solemnity of Saints Antonio Primaldo and Companions, Martyrs of Otranto
In the Cathedral:
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Celebration of Holy Masses
10:30 a.m.: Solemn Concelebrated Eucharist presided over by H.E. Mons. Giuseppe Mengoli, Bishop of San Severo, and concelebrated by H.E. Mons. Francesco Neri, Archbishop of Otranto; H.E. Mons. Donato Negro, Archbishop Emeritus of Otranto; H.E. Mons. Bruno Musarò, Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus; H.E. Mons. Franco Coppola, Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg; together with the Cathedral Chapter, Priests, Religious, and Deacons of the Archdiocese. Seminarians will also be present. The Eucharistic Celebration will be accompanied by the Archdiocesan Choir of Otranto directed by Canon Biagio Mandorino.
7:00 p.m.: Celebration of the Second Vespers of the Solemnity of Saints Antonio Primaldo and Companions.
7:30 p.m.: City Procession presided over by Mons. Francesco Neri, with the Reliquary Urn of the Saint Martyrs carried on the shoulders of the young Priests of the Archdiocese. The Mayor of Otranto, Attorney Francesco Bruni, will participate along with the city’s civil and military authorities.

Civil Celebrations

August 13
Piazzale degli Eroi:
8:00 p.m.: Civil Commemoration of the Heroes and Martyrs of Otranto fallen in 1480. Following the greeting of Mayor Francesco Bruni, Prof. Nicola Neri, Professor of History of International Relations at the University of Bari, will deliver the commemorative speech.
Otranto in Music – Grand Concert Band “O. Margilio – City of Squinzano” – Conductor Dominga Damato
10:30 a.m.: Matinée in the Public Gardens
6:30 p.m.: Band gathering – Piazzale Molo Santi Martiri
7:30 p.m.: Departure from the Town Hall for the Civil Commemoration
9:30 p.m.: Concert Band at Largo Porta Terra

August 14
Grand Band Concert “Biagio Abate – City of Bisceglie” – Conductor Benedetto Grillo
10:30 a.m.: Matinée in the Public Gardens
9:30 p.m.: Concert Band at Largo Porta Terra
After midnight (around 1:00 a.m.): Lights on the Sea – fireworks display on the Otranto harbor quay by the renowned company “L’Artificiosa” of the Di Candia Brothers from Sassano (Salerno). The fireworks show is subject to weather conditions.

August 15
10:00 p.m.: Live Concert – Fronte del Blasco, Vasco Rossi Tribute Band