Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

An ancient devotion in the village of Cittaducale

In Cittaducale, an elegant village in the Rieti province of Lazio, the Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is much more than a date on the calendar: it is the revival of a tradition deeply rooted in the community's identity. The devotion of the locals towards the Saint of Lisbon dates back to the very history of the town, founded in the early 14th century by the Angevins, when Franciscan friars promoted the spread of the Antonian cult. Since then, faith in Saint Anthony has accompanied generations, guarded over the centuries by brotherhoods and popular associations.

The 'machine of the Saint' and the solemn procession

The heart of the festival is the solemn procession that winds through the streets of the historic center. The majestic machine of the Saint, an imposing 19th-century structure weighing about 1,300 kilograms, returns to the streets thanks to the commitment of over fifty bearers, including village residents and members of the Pia Unione Sant'Antonio di Padova. Carried on shoulders through the narrow alleys, the structure allows the faithful to gather in prayer before the effigy of the Saint, in an ancient and moving ritual that unites the entire citizenry.

Four days of faith, public squares, and gastronomy

The event spans four days that weave together religious and popular moments. Every evening, the main square fills with families, young people, and visitors in an atmosphere of simple, genuine sociality made of music, conviviality, and tradition. There is no shortage of gastronomic events, with stalls and specialties that highlight the flavors of the Rieti Sabina, and entertainment that keeps the village lively until late. Revitalized with enthusiasm by the Associazione Tradizioni Civitesi APS, the festival has rediscovered its full community spirit.

Cittaducale and the Rieti Sabina

Nestled among the hills of the Rieti Sabina, a few kilometers from Rieti, Cittaducale preserves a medieval urban layout of rare harmony, with its grid plan, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo, and narrow alleys that tell centuries of history. Experiencing the Feast of Saint Anthony means immersing oneself not only in a religious celebration but in an entire heritage of traditions, devotion, and community that makes this corner of inland Lazio unique.