Saint Francis of Paola, protector of farmers and seafarers, was officially proclaimed Patron Saint of the City of Monopoli in 1645. His cult dates back to 1527, when the friar and founder of the Order of the Minims is said to have interceded, saving Monopoli from the scourge of the plague.

Every year, generally on the first weekend of May, the traditional ceremony is renewed in which the mayor symbolically hands over the keys of the city to the Patron Saint, who is venerated in the convent located south of the town center.