Nativity of the Virgin of Bonifacio
Religious festival in Bonifacio, South Corsica
About Nativity of the Virgin
Nativity of the Virgin of Bonifacio in Bonifacio
Nativity of the Virgin of Bonifacio is a must-attend event in the cultural life of Bonifacio and the South Corsica department, in Corsica. Since its creation in 1964, this event has established itself as a benchmark for religious festivals, attracting a loyal and curious audience each year.
An event rooted in its territory
Located in the heart of Bonifacio, Nativity of the Virgin of Bonifacio takes advantage of the exceptional setting of the town and its heritage. The event fully participates in the tourist attractiveness of the South Corsica department and enhances the cultural, natural, and human riches of the Corsica region.
Program and activities
Each edition of Nativity of the Virgin of Bonifacio offers a varied program combining religious celebration and conviviality. Visitors can enjoy multiple activities, discoveries, and moments of sharing that make this event so rich. The complete program is announced each year on the official channels of the event.
A convivial gathering
Nativity of the Virgin of Bonifacio is above all a moment of sharing and conviviality. Whether you are an informed enthusiast or simply curious, everyone will find something to satisfy their curiosity and have a pleasant time in Bonifacio. The warm welcome from the organizers and volunteers makes each edition a memorable experience.
Nativity of the Virgin — edition 2026
The Nativity of the Virgin, locally called A Santa, is one of the great Marian feasts of Corsica. In Bonifacio, it is celebrated every year on September 8th, the fixed liturgical day of the birth of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed queen of the island in 1735. The feast takes place in the heart of an exceptional site, around the hermitage of the Most Holy Trinity, a 13th-century sanctuary located about 8 km from the town in the direction of Sartène, from where one can embrace the extreme southern tip of Corsica, the cliffs of Bonifacio, and the Mediterranean.
Blending religious fervor and popular Bonifacio traditions, this day brings together families and brotherhoods around masses, a procession, and a moment of conviviality shared on the rocks, in the spirit of the pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Holy Trinity.
In Bonifacio, as throughout Corsica, September 8th is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (A Santa), a Marian feast with a fixed liturgical date. The celebrations are held at the hermitage of the Most Holy Trinity, one of the main places of devotion to Maria Regina di Corsica, in a remarkable landscape overlooking the southern tip of the island.
Day's Program
- 8:30 AM: first mass at the Trinity hermitage.
- 10:30 AM: high mass of the Nativity of the Virgin.
- Noon: according to tradition, Bonifacio families share a meal on the rocks, under the oaks and olive trees, around the famous Bonifacio-style stuffed eggplants (i mirizani), which each family carefully prepares.
- 5:30 PM: procession of the Bonifacio brotherhoods around the hermitage.
- In the evening: fireworks display fired above the citadel of Bonifacio to close the feast (weather permitting).
A deeply rooted tradition
The Trinity sanctuary, dating from the 13th century, is the site of an annual pilgrimage on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin. The feast combines religious celebration, transmission of traditions, and conviviality, in continuity with the Marian cult that permeates all of Corsica on September 8th.
Highlights Nativity of the Virgin 2026
- Corsican Marian feast A Santa, on September 8th, with a fixed liturgical date
- Celebrations at the hermitage of the Most Holy Trinity (13th century), a panoramic site on the southern tip of Corsica
- Masses at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, procession of the brotherhoods at 5:30 PM
- Sharing of Bonifacio-style stuffed eggplants (i mirizani)
- Closing fireworks display above the citadel
Prices Nativity of the Virgin 2026
Practical information — Nativity of the Virgin
Practical information
Location
Bonifacio (20169), South Corsica.
Access
Reach Bonifacio by road. Parking available near the event site. Consult official information for access details.
Prices
Free entry.
Contact
For more information, consult the official website of the event or contact the Bonifacio town hall.
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