Il Brigante Tittariello - Bannita Tittariello, the People's Leader

Sant'Arsenio returns to the 17th century

In the town of Sant'Arsenio, in the province of Salerno, at the foot of the Alburni mountains and at the gateway to the Vallo di Diano, mid-August has marked the appointment with "Bannita Tittariello, the People's Leader"—better known as Il Brigante Tittariello—for over twenty years. The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Sant'Arsenio and takes place entirely within the Borgo Serrone, the oldest part of the village, and the streets of the historic center. In 2025, the re-enactment reached its 24th edition, confirming its status as one of the defining events for this part of inland Campania.

Who was Tittariello

Behind the local nickname lies Giovan Battista Verricelli (also recorded as Verricella), born in Sant'Arsenio in 1611. Local sources describe him as one of the most feared bandits in the region: he commanded a band of about three hundred men, and his actions—ranging from simple theft to raids on settlements—extended far beyond the Vallo di Diano. His figure has been the subject of studies and publications by local historians, and the community has even dedicated a mural to him in the village. The re-enactment is therefore not just a show, but the way Sant'Arsenio reconstructs and recounts a complex chapter of its history: that of brigandage in the Kingdom of Naples.

The Borgo Serrone, a natural stage

The Serrone is the upper district of Sant'Arsenio, a maze of alleys, arches, staircases, carved stone portals, and noble palaces dating mostly to the 17th and 18th centuries. For two days, the village is transformed into a 17th-century settlement: no modern lights, but torches and lanterns, artisan workshops reopened for the occasion, stalls with local products, and performers in period costumes occupying every corner. The village's own setting, which has remained largely intact, makes the reconstruction particularly authentic.

Processions, taverns, and skirmishes

The structure of the event, consolidated over time, includes several recurring highlights:

• Historical procession in 17th-century costumes along the village streets, accompanied by clarions, drummers, and flag-wavers
• Taverns, inns, and encampments reconstructed according to the era, where one can taste traditional Vallo di Diano peasant dishes
• Workshops and ancient trades, with local artisans presenting traditional products in the village alleys
• Palace raids and skirmishes between the bandit band and the Italo-Spanish soldiers
• The nocturnal escape to the countryside, which concludes the re-enactment around midnight

The artistic direction is entrusted to Nicola Piccolo, who introduces new elements to the staging each year without altering the core narrative. The involvement of the village is total: dozens of volunteers and performers, almost all residents, take care of costumes, sets, and choreography.

An event for the entire Vallo di Diano

Although deeply rooted in Sant'Arsenio, the re-enactment attracts audiences from across the Vallo di Diano, the Cilento, and the Alburni, and regularly involves neighboring towns. The Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park includes it among the events that define the identity of the inland Salerno area, alongside summer food festivals and patronal feasts. For those visiting the area, it is also an opportunity to discover the heritage of Sant'Arsenio: the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Church of the Annunziata with its valuable 16th-century Flemish panel, and the regular urban layout of the village, which developed between the 16th and 19th centuries.

When it takes place

Il Brigante Tittariello is traditionally held on August 17th and 18th, following the Ferragosto celebrations, starting in the late afternoon and ending late at night. Dates and programs are announced by the Pro Loco of Sant'Arsenio in the days prior, through the association's website and official social media channels.