How to Reach Capurso and the Basilica

By car:

• From Bari: Capurso is located about 12 km south of Bari, easily accessible via the State Road 16 (SS16). Take the exit for Capurso and follow signs to the town center or directly to the Basilica of the Madonna del Pozzo.
• From other cities: The SS16 connects Capurso with many other cities along the Adriatic coast, making it easily accessible from both north and south.

By train:

Capurso Station: The train is another convenient option for reaching Capurso.

The Capurso Station is on the Bari-Taranto line. From the station, the basilica is easily reachable on foot or by a short taxi or bus ride.

By bus:

From nearby urban centers: Bus services connect Bari and other nearby towns to Capurso. These buses, mostly operated by regional companies, stop near the basilica or in the town center.

Once you arrive in Capurso, the Basilica of the Madonna del Pozzo is easily accessible from the town center.

The Miracle of the Madonna del Pozzo: History and Devotion in Capurso

The devotion to the Madonna del Pozzo is deeply rooted in the history and spirituality of Capurso.

The story of this cult began on August 30, 1705, when Don Domenico Tanzella, a local priest in serious health condition, discovered an ancient Byzantine icon inside a well located in Contrada Piscino. According to the accounts, Don Tanzella, seeking divine help for his illness, was inspired by a vision of the Virgin Mary. During this apparition, the Madonna promised him that he would find healing by drinking the water from that specific well.

Moved by faith and desperation, the priest and some villagers retrieved the icon from the well's water, and following the vision's instructions, Don Tanzella drank the water. Miraculously, he fully recovered from his illness, an event that was immediately considered a sign of the Madonna's benevolence and intercessory power.

Inspired by the miracle and the growing veneration of the icon, the citizens of Capurso decided to build a basilica in honor of the Madonna del Pozzo. Completed in 1778, the basilica became a symbol of the community's deep religious faith.

Inside the basilica, the icon of the Madonna, characterized by typical Byzantine art features, occupies a prominent place on the main altar. This revered image attracts local worshippers and pilgrims from all over the region.

A Visit to the Basilica of the Madonna del Pozzo

The visit begins at the basilica, where the original icon of the Virgin is placed on the altar. This sacred image, an object of great veneration, occupies a place of honor on the main altar, surrounded by rich decoration that highlights its presence.

Adjacent to the basilica is the Franciscan convent, characterized by a picturesque cloister. Along the cloister's walls are panels recounting the history of the discovery of the Madonna del Pozzo icon, providing visitors with a historical and spiritual context that enriches their experience.

Inside the basilica, one is awed by the powerful pillars with arches of the side chapels, the main altar with its backdrop wall, where the niche of the Madonna del Pozzo stands out. Here, relics and ex-votos are displayed in dedicated rooms, testifying to the graces received by the faithful over the centuries.

Among the venerable figures present in the basilica is the effigy of Saint Egidio of Taranto, an Alcantarine friar who was deeply devoted to the Madonna del Pozzo during his life and was considered a comforter of Naples.

After leaving the basilica, a long avenue leads to the Well of the Discovery. A comfortable staircase takes you down to the Chapel of the Well.

Here, a small well contains the water believed to be miraculous, on which, according to tradition, the fresco of the Madonna floated for a few moments. Pilgrims and visitors are invited to drink this water, continuing a centuries-old practice of devotion.

The Patronal Feast of Capurso

The Patronal Feast of Capurso is a major religious and cultural event held every year on the last Sunday of August. This celebration is dedicated to the Madonna del Pozzo, patroness of the town, and is a moment of deep devotion for the local community and the many pilgrims who participate.

The festival traditionally begins on the Friday preceding the last Sunday of August and concludes the following Monday, with a series of religious and festive events covering the entire weekend.

The most characteristic and spectacular element of the festival is the procession of the triumphal cart. This cart, decorated with sacred images and flowers, is hand-pulled through the town's streets by nearly two hundred participants dressed in 18th-century costumes. The procession takes place on Sunday evening and is a particularly moving moment for the faithful.

A beautiful, suggestive, and touching celebration!

Useful Information

Pontifical Minor Basilica of the Madonna del Pozzo

Via Madonna del Pozzo - 70010 Capurso (Bari)

• Basilica Opening Hours:

Morning: 7:30 – 12:30 (holidays 13:00)/Afternoon: 16:30 – 21:00 (holidays 22:00)

• Mass Times at the Chapel of the Well:

From May to October, every Saturday: 8:00 a.m.

Major Saturdays: from the first Saturday in May until the Patronal Feast in August, at 7:30 a.m., pilgrimage starts from the basilica, 8:00 a.m. mass at the Chapel of the Well, followed by Litanies and supplication to the Madonna del Pozzo.

If you're choosing Puglia for vacation or pilgrimage towards the Jubilee 2025 in Puglia, you must visit the Basilica of the Madonna del Pozzo. Don't miss the appointment, Capurso awaits you!