As you know, Naples is considered the musical capital of Italy, and Piedigrotta — holiday competition for the best lyrical song — is considered the oldest event in Naples. This is a picturesque, fun and lively Neapolitan festival.
The origin and development of this holiday is quite interesting. Not far from Naples, in the Piedigrotta cave in ancient times, there was a temple of pagan origin, and religious cults were performed by dancing priestesses.
Later, this holiday was layered with another, already Christian, in honor of the Madonna, celebrated by Western Christians on September 8. The church of Santa Maria di Piedigrotta was built on the site of the cave. The day of this Madonna began to be celebrated not only with processions, but also with the performance of folk songs.
The holiday begins on the evening of September 7 and lasts the entire next day.