Feast of Saint Eutizio

The patron saint of Preci

Saint Eutizio is the patron saint of Preci, a village in the Valnerina valley in the province of Perugia, at the foot of the Monti Sibillini. His feast day is on May 23rd and revolves around the Abbey of Saint Eutizio, in the hamlet of Piedivalle: a monastic complex among the oldest in Italy, whose origins date back to the 6th century, when the monk Eutizio became its abbot.

Solemn Mass and Procession

The festival includes a solemn mass presided over by the Archbishop of Spoleto-Norcia, followed by a procession with the 15th-century wooden statue of the saint, which starts from Piedivalle accompanied by local bands and the surrounding populations. A deeply felt occasion, which every year brings the community together around the figure of the saint and his ancient monastery.

A place of history and spirituality

The Abbey of Saint Eutizio is a true treasure trove of history: in the Middle Ages, it was an important spiritual and economic center, with a famous scriptorium that produced illuminated manuscripts and one of the oldest texts in Italian vernacular (1095). From here originated the renowned surgical school of Preci, active from the 13th to the 18th century, whose surgeons achieved international fame. Severely damaged by the 2016 earthquake, the abbey has undergone significant restoration work; the celebration of the patron saint, however, is renewed every year at the site or in its vicinity.