Feast of Saint Sebastian, Co-Patron of Caserta

A date that defines the soul of Caserta

January 20th is perhaps the most significant date in the calendar for Caserta, the capital of the province of the same name in Campania. On this day, the city celebrates Saint Sebastian, a 3rd-century Christian martyr revered as co-patron alongside Saint Anne. Simultaneously, it commemorates a foundational moment in its identity: the laying of the first stone of the Royal Palace of Caserta, which took place on January 20, 1752, based on Luigi Vanvitelli's design. These two anniversaries, while distinct, are deeply intertwined, reflecting both the spiritual/civic dimension and the historical/cultural grandeur of the region.

Saint Sebastian, the soldier saint

An officer in the Roman imperial army under Diocletian, Sebastian never renounced his Christian faith and suffered martyrdom for it. Tradition depicts him tied to a post and pierced by arrows—an image that has become a symbol of courage, loyalty, and a spirit of service. Because of these values, the saint is considered the protector of the Municipal Police in Italy. His feast day in Caserta takes on a strong institutional character each year, with the participation of local police officers and high-ranking civil, political, and military authorities.

The celebration

The heart of the day is the solemn Holy Mass held in the Cathedral of Caserta (the Duomo, in Piazza Duomo), presided over by the Archbishop of the Diocese of Caserta. The service is followed by moments of reflection and a procession that, in regional-scale editions, includes the gonfalons of the municipalities accompanied by officers in dress uniform. The festival is promoted by the Municipality of Caserta in collaboration with the Municipal Police Command and is a free event open to the public.

The link to the Royal Palace

The coincidence with the anniversary of the Royal Palace—a Vanvitellian masterpiece now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site—makes January 20th a truly symbolic day for the entire Caserta community. The date was chosen in 1752 because it coincided with the birthday of Charles of Bourbon, then King of Naples, who commissioned the grand residence. For visitors, attending the Saint Sebastian celebrations offers a unique opportunity to grasp Caserta's dual identity: the devotional and popular, and the monumental and royal.