Castellare Festival in San Giovanni alla Vena

A festival that lights up the hill of San Giovanni alla Vena

The Castellare Festival is the most beloved popular and religious event in the village of San Giovanni alla Vena, located in the municipality of Vicopisano, in the province of Pisa, at the foot of the Monte Pisano. It coincides with the Feast of the Holy Cross and takes place every year in early May, drawing residents, former locals, and visitors together for a ritual that the village feels is a deep part of its identity: it is no coincidence that the traditional cry is «W.S.C. — Viva Santa Croce» (Long live the Holy Cross).

The oratory on the hill and its history

The heart of the festival is the Oratory of the Castellare, the small church that overlooks the village from the top of a hill, once the site of an ancient fortification. According to tradition, a chapel stood on the hill linked to the return of the Crusaders from Jerusalem, who commemorated their homecoming there every year. The current building was constructed starting in 1656 and opened for worship on September 14, 1657, dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; in the 18th century, it was expanded and enriched with a relic of the Holy Cross and a precious 13th-century wooden crucifix. Destroyed by bombing in 1944, the oratory was rebuilt in 1949 by the community, who carried the materials by hand up the slope. After an explosion severely damaged it in 2017, the Castellare was restored again and reopened in 2019, returning to its status as the symbol of the village.

The meaning of the Holy Cross

The festival commemorates the finding of the Cross of Christ in Jerusalem, a liturgical feast fixed on May 3rd. It is an event that intertwines the spiritual dimension with the community: alongside the religious celebrations, a local fair takes place, with market stalls, attractions, and social gatherings in Piazza della Repubblica.

Highlights

• The evening procession through the streets of the village (Via della Chiesa, Via Veneto, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Garibaldi, Via Diaz).
• The torchlight parade, evocative and traditional, which climbs on foot toward the Castellare oratory.
• The fireworks display that illuminates the church on the mountain, the hills, and the valley.
• The community snack and social moments that conclude the festivities.

An event for the local area

Among the festivals and fairs of the Monte Pisano, the Castellare Festival is one of the most characteristic of the Vicopisano area and the Province of Pisa, in Tuscany. The evening ascent of the torches toward the illuminated little church, followed by fireworks, creates a lasting image that every year brings generations of locals together around their Castellare.