Our Lady of Romania: 9 September

On 9 September, Tropea solemnly celebrates Our Lady of Romania, the town’s patron saint, on the anniversary of the coronation of the sacred icon. It is the most deeply felt festival of the year, a moment when faith, tradition and identity come together in a collective celebration involving the entire community.
At the heart of the celebrations is the solemn procession that accompanies the ancient image of the Madonna through the streets of the historic centre. Confraternities, religious associations, civil authorities and the faithful follow the procession in an atmosphere of intense devotion, whilst balconies and streets are festively decorated.
The icon, housed in the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of Romania, has been venerated for centuries. According to tradition, it arrived by sea; over time, numerous miracles have been attributed to it, including the protection of the town during the bombings of 24 July 1943, when six bombs fell without exploding. Two of these bombs are still preserved in the Cathedral as a reminder of that event.
The civic celebrations, which take place in the days leading up to the feast (7, 8 and 9 September), enrich the occasion with cultural events and opportunities for socialising, transforming Tropea into a place of gathering and sharing.
The celebration on 9 September is much more than a religious festival: it is a symbol of the deep bond between the town and its patron saint, an annual event that renews the devotion and pride of the Tropean community.