Festival of Saint Roch

Saint Roch, Patron of Savoia

Savoia di Lucania, a village in the Province of Potenza nestled among the Marmo Platano-Melandro mountains, is deeply connected to the figure of Saint Roch, its protector. Devotion is renewed three times a year – on May 16th, August 16th, and December 16th – but it is the mid-August summer recurrence that draws the largest participation, with emigrants and visitors returning to the village for the occasion.

The Votive "Cente"

The identity core of the festival is the votive centa: a wooden structure supporting white wax candles adorned with flowers and colorful ribbons. Devotees carry it balanced on their heads during the procession, bowing three times as a gesture of offering and gratitude to the saint. It is an ancient, arduous, and deeply meaningful ritual that connects generations and keeps the village's collective memory alive.

Tradition and Community Art

The care for this intangible heritage is also evidenced by the "Murales della Tradizione" (Murals of Tradition) project, promoted by the association Savoia Terra Mia: among the works, a mural by street artist Antonino Perrotta (Attorrep) depicts the offering of candles to Saint Roch during the procession, with verses from the devotional song in the Savoia dialect. The initiative preserves songs, images, and traditions that accompany the festival.

A People's Festival

Alongside the religious moment, the festival of Saint Roch comes alive with a solemn procession, the accompaniment of the municipal band, illuminations, markets, and an evening fireworks display. It is the event where Savoia di Lucania rallies around its identity, between popular faith and village conviviality.