Legends

There are actually three legends told in Matera about this feast.

One narrates the story of an unknown girl who appeared to a farm hand on his way back to the city of Matera. The young woman asked the good man for a ride on his cart. Having taken her to the gates of the city, close to the chapel of Piccianello, the man saw her turn into a statue. Then the Virgin whispered these words to the incredulous peasant: "It is thus, on a decorated carriage, that I want to enter my city every year" .

A second legend, on the reason for the destruction of the float, tells of a probable attack by the Saracens. The citizens of Matera themselves destroyed the carriage, to prevent their venerated images from falling into the hands of the aggressors.

According to the third legend, Count Tramontano, Lord of Matera, promised the citizens everything necessary for the Feast in honour of the Holy Mother, even a new carriage every year. The people destroyed the float in order to test the hated tyrant, obliging him to keep his promise.