Feast of Saint Joseph

The patron saint's feast in the heart of Bassa Romagna

The Festa d'sà Jusëf is the patronal feast of Villa Prati, a small hamlet in the Municipality of Bagnacavallo, in the province of Ravenna, in the heart of Bassa Romagna. The name, in Romagnolo dialect, simply means "Feast of Saint Joseph": it is indeed the patron saint of the hamlet, celebrated every year around March 19th, the day of his liturgical feast.

The Villa Prati feast is a village festival in the truest sense of the word: it arises from the grassroots, from the voluntary commitment of the Associazione L'Incontro and the collaboration of the Parish and the Zone Council, with the patronage of the Municipality of Bagnacavallo. Not a grand stage event, but a heartfelt gathering that, for two weekends in March, transforms the small village into a meeting point for the entire community and visitors from neighboring towns.

Romagnolo cuisine and themed dinners

The common thread of the feast is good Romagnolo food. The food stand offers typical traditional dishes, while the evenings are marked by highly anticipated themed dinners: the famous Saraghineda, dedicated to sardines and blue fish accompanied by craft beers from a local brewery; the paella and sangria evening, now a classic; and dinners with wine tastings from the territory paired with Romagnolo cuisine dishes. Dinners are by reservation, a sign of how much they are appreciated by locals and food lovers in the area.

Sport, markets, and engines

Alongside the food, the Festa d'sà Jusëf reserves ample space for sport and the outdoors. Among the recurring events are the San Giuseppe Fun Run, a non-competitive recreational-motor activity open to all, and the gravel and mountain bike cycling gatherings between Villa Prati and the surrounding countryside. Sunday is the main day for families, with the flea market, a children's market, exhibitions of vintage bicycles, motorcycles, and tractors, entertainment, music, and games.

A community tradition

The Festa d'sà Jusëf well represents the spirit of the patronal feasts of Romagna: devotion to the saint, with the liturgical celebration in the church of San Giuseppe, naturally intertwines with popular celebration, conviviality, and village pride. It is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Bassa Romagna, far from the most beaten tourist routes, and to experience the genuine hospitality of a small community. The event takes place in any weather.