Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

A devotion rooted in Alta Irpinia

In the heart of Alta Irpinia, at an altitude of 870 meters, the municipality of Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi (province of Avellino, Campania) dedicates one of its most heartfelt religious observances to Saint Anthony of Padua every year. While not the town's patronal feast—which is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel and celebrated in late September—the devotion to Saint Anthony has accompanied the local community for centuries, turning the first days of June into a time of prayer, gathering, and popular celebration.

The Tredicina in the Church of San Marco

The journey toward June 13th begins on May 31st with the traditional Tredicina, the thirteen days of preparation celebrated in the Church of San Marco. Every morning, the faithful gather for the rosary and mass, following a rhythm that has remained unchanged over time. The choice of church is no coincidence: the San Marco convent complex, with records dating back to 1247, houses an ancient statue of Saint Anthony of Padua and a fine polychrome marble altar. Future Popes Sixtus V and Clement XIV stayed within those walls, and the square offers a sweeping view over the valleys of inland Irpinia.

The procession on June 12th and 13th

The most anticipated moment arrives on June 12th and 13th, when the statue of the Saint leaves the church and is accompanied by the faithful in a procession through the town streets, as tradition dictates. The parade crosses the town center, which was rebuilt after the 1980 earthquake—an event that had one of its epicenters here with a tragic toll; for the community, the procession also serves as a ritual of shared rebirth. In documented editions, the route has concluded at the Cathedral of Sant'Antonino Martire, in the heart of the historic center.

The bread of Saint Anthony

As every year, on the last day of the Tredicina, the bread of Saint Anthony is distributed: small blessed loaves that the faithful take home as a sign of protection and sharing. The gesture recalls one of the most famous episodes in the Antonian tradition, the miracle of little Tommasino, and remains one of the most attended moments of the entire event, capable of reuniting even those who have emigrated and return to town for the occasion.

Civil celebrations in Piazza De Sanctis

The religious dimension is complemented by civil festivities. On the evenings of June 12th and 13th, Piazza De Sanctis, the heart of public life in Sant'Angelo, hosts musical performances with bands and ensembles. Some editions have also included street artists, stilt walkers, and mascots for children, in addition to evening concerts. Illuminations and market stalls complete an atmosphere that belongs fully to the tradition of Southern Italian festivals.

Around the festival: what to see

Those arriving for the festival will find a village that deserves a longer stay:

• Cathedral of Sant'Antonino Martire, of Norman origin (12th century), with a Romanesque portal and a three-nave basilica plan;
• Lombard Castle, founded around the 10th century, with its irregular layout and defensive tower;
• Goleto Abbey, founded in 1133 by William of Vercelli, just a few kilometers from the center: one of the most evocative monastic complexes in inland Campania, now also a venue for cultural events;
• the historic center rebuilt after the 1980 earthquake, for which the city received the Gold Medal for Civil Merit.

When it takes place

The Antonian calendar is fixed: the Tredicina opens on May 31st and concludes on June 12th, while the solemnity of Saint Anthony of Padua always falls on June 13th. However, the times of the celebrations and the details of the civil festivities are defined year by year by the parish and the Municipality: as of the writing of this guide, an official program for the 2026 edition has not yet been published. It is therefore advisable to verify information with the parish or the Municipality of Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi before traveling.