Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix

The patronal feast of Castelliri

The Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix, also known as the Crucifix Fair, is the most awaited celebration of the year in Castelliri, a village in the Liri Valley in the province of Frosinone, in the heart of the Ciociaria region of southern Lazio. Every year, typically around the third Sunday of July, the entire community gathers around the venerated image of the Crucifix, kept in the parish church of Santa Croce, for several days of festivities that blend religious, civil, and popular traditions.

The procession and sacred music

The highlight is the solemn procession of the Most Holy Crucifix, which winds through the town streets in the evening, followed by devoted participants. Devotion is complemented by music: the festival hosts sacred music concerts, with polyphonic choirs and operatic ensembles performing in the parish church, turning the religious celebration into a true cultural event.

The Palio delle Contrade

Since 2025, the program has been enriched by the return of the historic Palio delle Contrade, revived after a sixteen-year absence. In Piazza Marconi, the town's four districts — Centro, Collasturo-San Lorenzo-Le Quadra, La Piana, and Spica-Farneto — compete in a series of traditional games involving both adults and children: from the demijohn race to sack races, wheelbarrow races, tug-of-war, and the amusing spaghetti-eating contest. Organized by the Pro Loco, the Palio is designed to reawaken the sense of community and pride that has always characterized Castelliri.

Shows, gastronomy, and entertainment

The festival lineup features musical groups and evening entertainment in Piazza Marconi every year, including comedy shows, live music, and dance evenings. There is no shortage of children's entertainment, sports exhibitions, and, above all, food stalls where you can taste traditional Ciociaria dishes and products. The festival attracts residents, returning emigrants, and visitors from neighboring towns in the Liri Valley, serving as a gathering point for the entire region.

A symbol of identity

Deeply rooted in the life of the Municipality of Castelliri, the Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix represents much more than a religious anniversary: it is the moment when the town rediscovers its roots, collective memory, and community bonds. An event that, edition after edition, continues to renew tradition while keeping the bond between the people of Castelliri and their Crucifix alive.