Festa della 'Ndenna
Italy's oldest arboreal wedding in honor of Saint Anthony
About Festa della 'Ndenna
Italy's oldest arboreal wedding
In Castelsaraceno, a small village in the province of Potenza overlooking the Pollino National Park and the Lucanian Apennine Park of Val d'Agri-Lagonegrese, one of the most fascinating and ancient rites of the Mediterranean is renewed every year: the Festa della 'Ndenna, defined as "Italy's oldest arboreal wedding".
At the heart of the festival is the symbolic union between two trees: the 'Ndenna, an imposing beech tree chosen from Bosco Favino at the foot of Mount Alpi, representing the groom; and the Cunocchia, a young pine tree from Mount Armizzone, impersonating the bride. The two trunks are finally joined by an iron ring and raised in the center of Sant'Antonio's small square, where they remain standing throughout the summer, until October.
A rite with pre-Christian roots
Anthropologists place this ritual within a system of pre-Christian beliefs linked to vegetative cycles and fertility cults, widespread throughout Europe. In Castelsaraceno, the tradition later merged with devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua, giving rise to a festival that intertwines the sacred and the profane, collective effort and community celebration. The rite is recognized as a precious intangible heritage of Lucanian culture.
The community atmosphere
The 'Ndenna is first and foremost a village festival: entire generations gather in the woods to cut and transport the trees, pulled by oxen, amidst folk songs, bagpipes, and communal lunches. The moment of greatest collective tension is the free climb on the stripped trunk: the bravest climb bare-handed to win the "tacche", small wooden prizes hung at the top.
Castelsaraceno and the territory
Organized by the Municipality of Castelsaraceno with the Pro Loco and the entire community, the festival is also an opportunity to discover a village that houses the world's longest Tibetan bridge and unspoiled nature between two national parks. A journey into the most authentic heart of inner Basilicata.
Festa della 'Ndenna — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festa della 'Ndenna is structured, as per tradition, over three consecutive Sundays in June. Each day is dedicated to a phase of the arboreal rite, in a crescendo that culminates in the raising of the two tree-spouses in Sant'Antonio's small square. The festival is confirmed by the Municipality of Castelsaraceno and reported by numerous national and regional media outlets.
Programme Festa della 'Ndenna 2026
Sunday, June 7 — The Groom
After the religious service, a group of men reaches the Bosco Favino, on Mount Alpi, to cut down the large beech tree destined to become the 'Ndenna (the groom). Smaller beeches, the "proffiche", are chosen as levers.
Sunday, June 14 — The Bride
- 7:30 AM — gathering
- 8:30 AM — departure towards Mount Armizzone
- 10:00 AM — cutting of the Cunocchia (the pine tree, the bride)
- 11:00 AM — tying
- 12:30 PM — blessing
- 1:00 PM — communal lunch
- 3:30 PM — transport from the woods to the village
- 6:30 PM — arrival in the square
Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 — Wedding and Raising
On Saturday, the two trees are joined. On Sunday morning, the solemn procession in honor of Saint Anthony takes place, with a brass band, confraternities, and faithful. In the afternoon, in Sant'Antonio's small square, the raising of the arboreal wedding occurs, followed by the free climb on the trunk. In the evening, at 10:00 PM in Piazza Piano della Corte, a concert by The Kolors; at midnight, fireworks.
Highlights Festa della 'Ndenna 2026
The highlights: the cutting of the beech tree in Bosco Favino (June 7), the transport of the Cunocchia (June 14), the procession of Saint Anthony, the raising and free climb, the concert by The Kolors, and the fireworks (June 21).
Prices Festa della 'Ndenna 2026
Practical information — Festa della 'Ndenna
How to get there: Castelsaraceno (PZ) can be reached by car from the SS653 Sinnica or the Val d'Agri. The village is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Potenza.
Admission: events take place in the historic center and surrounding woods and are free to attend.
Accommodation: B&Bs, farm stays, and accommodation facilities are available in the village and in the vicinity of the two parks.
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Where does it take place — Festa della 'Ndenna
Centro storico di Castelsaraceno