The patron saints of Bitonto are the Most Holy Immaculate Mary, Saint Gaetano Thiene and Saint Andrew Avellino: the patronal feast in honour of the Immaculate is held on 26 May and the following days, with processions and civic and religious events. In Piazza Cattedrale still stands the Guglia dell'Immacolata, a small Baroque obelisk commissioned by the Calamita family after the 1731 earthquake: the tremor caused damage in the surrounding areas but spared Bitonto, an event considered miraculous that increased popular devotion to the patron.
The church of San Gaetano Thiene was commissioned in 1609 by the Theatine fathers, built over the ancient Palazzo dell'Universitas to the design of Dionisio Volpone of Parabita, and consecrated in 1730. Since 1985 the city has re-enacted every year the historic Battle of Bitonto, fought on 25 May 1734 between the Spanish and the Austrians in the field of San Leone: the victory of Charles of Bourbon's army secured the Bourbons possession of the Kingdom of Naples and its independence, an event commemorated by the Obelisco Carolino, erected in 1741 to the design of Giovanni Antonio Medrano.
