Feast of Saint Liberatus the Martyr and AVIS Anniversary in Tessennano

A celebration of faith and solidarity in Tuscia

On May 11th each year, the municipality of Tessennano, one of the smallest villages in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, honors its co-patron Saint Liberatus the Martyr. The event has a dual nature: on one hand, deep popular devotion, marked by religious services and the exclusive opening of the church dedicated to the saint; on the other, a spirit of solidarity, as the day coincides with the anniversary of the local AVIS branch (Italian Blood Volunteers Association), which celebrates its founding around this date.

Saint Liberatus, co-patron of Tessennano

Tessennano venerates two patron saints: Saint Felix, celebrated in late August with a large summer festival, and Saint Liberatus the Martyr, honored on May 11th. The day's program is organized by Pro Loco Tessennano in collaboration with AVIS, traditionally including religious rites in honor of the saint, civic ceremonies, and the warm community conviviality typical of Tuscia festivals.

The Church of San Liberato sotto le Mura

The spiritual heart of the festival is the Church of San Liberato sotto le Mura, a small 17th-century building located just outside the village. An inscription on the eastern wall dates its completion to 1668, while its last major restoration took place in 1948. Inside, the apse features frescoes depicting the Annunciation, Guardian Angels, and scenes of Saint Liberatus's martyrdom on the side panels. Above the altar hangs a painting donated in 1937 by artist Armando Lisini, portraying the saint in glory. A unique feature that makes this festival so special is that the church opens to the public only on the occasion of the May 11th festival, offering residents and visitors a rare chance to admire its interior.

AVIS and the spirit of solidarity

The Tessennano AVIS branch, founded in the early 1980s, has made May 11th its signature day. In 2025, the association celebrated its 44th anniversary on Sunday, May 11th, with a program combining blood donation, a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial, and various social gatherings, all held in conjunction with the saint's feast day. It is a beautiful intersection of faith and civic duty that perfectly captures the spirit of this small community.

The village of Tessennano

With fewer than three hundred inhabitants, Tessennano is a secluded village in the Maremma Laziale, located halfway between Tuscania and Canino and nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscia region. The Feast of Saint Liberatus is a moment when the village reunites and welcomes outsiders: an authentic opportunity to discover a hidden corner of the Viterbo province, rich in ancient churches, folk traditions, and a community that keeps its roots alive.