Feast in honor of St. Mary of the Snows

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The Couslierite community celebrates its patron saint with deep devotion during six days of religious and civil festivities where its community spirit is rediscovered, deeply connected to these festivities.
The cult of St. Mary of the Snow has ancient roots. According to legend, in the 14th century in the seaside village of St. Catherine, a chest with a statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus inside was found by some fishermen. The fishermen decided to take it to the present church of Santa Croce, then the parish of Santa Silvana, transporting it on an ox-drawn cart, but once they reached the front of the church, the oxen did not stop and continued on their way until they reached the top of Bardosu Hill.
A miraculous sign that led to the decision to erect on that hill what is now the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria della Neve, dedicated to the Virgin, which holds her simulacrum.
A full calendar of religious events is planned from August 2 to 7, with daytime and nighttime masses in the Basilica, a procession to the “Madonnina” along the road to the mountain.
Also planned are various accompanying events to the religious ones, luncheons and convivial moments organized by the Brotherhood, as well as many musical evenings.
August 5 represents the most important day of the celebrations, with the concert preceded by the fireworks display in the basilica’s hill, which gives a wonderful view of the town and the surrounding area.
The full program of the festival is updated annually and made available on the main traditional and social channels of the Confraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary and the municipality of Cuglieri.