Italian town carries towering Virgin Mary structure through streets

Thousands of residents and visitors converged on the historic town of Sora in central Italy on August 15 to take part in the annual Feast of the Assumption. The centerpiece of the celebration was a 16‑metre‑high illuminated structure, known locally as the “candelora,” which was carried on the shoulders of devotees as they paraded through the narrow, cobbled streets. Local authorities coordinated traffic diversions and safety measures, allowing the procession to move uninterrupted while ensuring the crowd’s security.

The tradition, which dates back several centuries, marks the Catholic observance of the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven and is a focal point of communal identity in Sora. The towering, brightly lit monument, adorned with candles and religious symbols, was lifted at dawn and guided by a procession of volunteers, musicians, and clergy, culminating in a mass held at the town’s main cathedral. Organizers said the event reinforced cultural heritage and fostered social cohesion, drawing participants from neighboring villages and attracting media attention. The celebration concluded with fireworks, leaving the town poised to repeat the ritual in the years ahead.