Festival of Saint Francis of Paola - Pitu and the Rocca

An ancient arboreal rite in the Pollino

In Viggianello, a village in the Pollino National Park in the province of Potenza, the patronal feast of Saint Francis of Paola is intertwined with one of the most fascinating rites in all of Basilicata: the Pitu and the Rocca. This is an arboreal rite of ancient origin, blending pre-Christian elements with religious devotion and celebrating the festive union of nature.

The Pitu and the Rocca: the wedding of the trees

The heart of the rite is the felling of two trees in the Pollino woods: the Pitu, a large tall tree, and the Rocca, a fir tree with lush foliage. The two trunks are transported to the village in a long procession and, once in the square, they are joined and erected: the Rocca is fixed to the top of the Pitu, creating the symbolic "wedding of the trees". This is the most intense moment of the festival, a symbol of nature celebrating and of fertility.

Between faith and popular tradition

The rite takes place in the last week of August, coinciding with the religious celebrations dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola, patron saint of Viggianello, which culminate in a solemn procession. The festival combines the devotional dimension with the popular and peasant one, in a synthesis that makes the Pitu and the Rocca an identity heritage for the entire community. The same rite is repeated, in other forms, also after Easter and in September.

Experiencing the Pollino in summer

Witnessing the Pitu and the Rocca means immersing yourself in one of the most authentic traditions of Southern Italy, amidst the woods and villages of the Pollino Park. Organized by the Municipality of Viggianello with the Pro Loco and the confraternities, the festival is a precious opportunity to discover the truest Basilicata in the heart of summer.