Romuald. 1077-1118

He's the bishop who manages to obtain the autonomy of the episcopal chair of Monopoli, which, no longer suffragan of Brindisi, is now directly subject to the Holy See.

The concession was granted by Pope Urban II with a Bull of 1091.

In 1107, with the support of Count Robert of Conversano, he began the construction of the Romanesque basilica that incorporated the original early Christian one, built on the remains of pagan temples, into its foundations.

Romuald is also the bishop to whom popular tradition links the miraculous event of the Madia, the raft that landed in 1117 on the Monopoli coast, holding the icon of the Madonna.

The raft beams are used to complete the ceiling of the basilica under construction.

The historic event of the Landing of Our Lady dates back to 1117.

At dawn on 16 December, on a raft, commonly known as a Madia, a Byzantine icon depicting the Madonna Odegitria arrived at the port.

Bishop Romuald rushes together with the people of Monopoli to welcome her into the cathedral church, where, according to legend, the raft beams were used to complete the roof under construction.

Following this miraculous event, the new cathedral, initially dedicated to Saints Maia and Mercury, was named after Our Lady of the Madia.

Starting in the 19th century, it was decided to re-enact the event every year at dawn on 16 December, while in the 20th century a summer re-enactment was added on the evening of 14 August.

The people of Monopoli, together with the bishop, confraternities and authorities, go in procession to welcome the raft with the icon of the Madia kept in the cathedral to the port and, festively through the streets of the city, take it back to the same church.

Thanks to Professor Carbonara S. for the historical references.

CREDITS: Comune di Monopoli.