Mercy [A Madonuccia]
Every year, a few days before spring, Ajaccio celebrates Our Lady of Mercythe patron saint of the town.
The origins of this festival
In 1656an epidemic of plague severely affected Italy, including the city of Genoa, under whose yoke was Corsica. Fearing that this disease would devastate the imperial city, the Council of Elders decided to place the town of Ajaccio under the protection of Our Lady of Mercy. Processions took place in the streets of the town and the plague-infested Genoese ships never docked in Ajaccio.
Suite à cela, les Ajacciennes et les Ajacciens la célèbrent le 18 mars par une messe en la cathédrale d’Ajaccio et c’est devenu un jour férié.
Procession and candles in the windows
Les commémorations de la Madonuccia débutent le 17 mars au soir. Les Ajacciennes et les Ajacciens viennent allumer des cierges sur la place Foch (dite place des Palmiers), au pied de la statue de la vierge.
Les façades des immeubles brillent grâce à la lumière des bougies allumées aux fenêtres et balcons ce soir-là.
Le lendemain, après la messe, une procession a lieu à travers les rues de la ville avec la statue de Notre Dame de la Miséricorde.
Religious and official ceremonies
The programme of the religious and official ceremonies of the Misericorde are published on the website of the city of Ajaccio.
The 17th and 18th of March are key dates in the life of Ajaccio.
The villages in the hinterland also celebrate their patronal feast day.
This is an opportunity for the inhabitants of the commune to gather around the patron saint and to share a convivial moment over a spuntinu [a snack in Corsican].