Most Holy Crucifix Festival

The patronal feast of Castiglione in Teverina

The Most Holy Crucifix Festival is the most cherished event of the year for the town of Castiglione in Teverina, a small village in the Tuscia area of the Viterbo province, in Lazio. Every year, in the first days of May, the entire town gathers around its patron saint in a celebration that weaves together faith, collective memory, and popular festivities. It is one of those patronal feasts where the religious and civil dimensions merge naturally, involving brotherhoods, authorities, the town band, and hundreds of the faithful.

The sacred wooden effigy, venerated since 1703

At the heart of the local devotion is the poignant wooden effigy of the Most Holy Crucifix, a work of great value for which the people of Castiglione hold deep veneration. The sacred image has been passed down from generation to generation since 1703 and is kept in the Collegiate Church of Saints Philip and James. During the festival, the Solemn Exposition and the subsequent Solemn Reposition of the Sacred Image mark the most intense moments of the liturgical calendar, drawing back to the village even those who have emigrated elsewhere and return specifically for the occasion.

The May 3rd procession

The highlight is the solemn procession on May 3rd, the day traditionally dedicated to the Most Holy Crucifix. The brotherhoods, together with the parish priest, local authorities, the town band, and numerous faithful, carry the wooden image of the Crucifix through the flower-strewn streets of the village. It is a evocative pageant that winds through the alleys of the historic center, amidst flower petals, hymns, and prayers, representing the most authentic identity of the Castiglione community.

Five days of events in Piazza Maggiore

Alongside the religious rites, the civil program enlivens the village for about five days, from April 30th to May 4th. The hub of the festive side is Piazza Maggiore, which hosts evening concerts and shows open to everyone. Over the years, the stage has featured well-known names from Italian pop music and cabaret nights, always with free admission. The classic traditional appointments are not to be missed:

• Evening concerts and live music in Piazza Maggiore
• The Bingo (Tombola) and the drawing of the Most Holy Crucifix Lottery, in support of the Festival Committee
• The Cycling Grand Prix of Castiglione, a historic road race
• A spectacular fireworks display that closes the festivities in the evening

Who organizes the festival

The event is managed by the Most Holy Crucifix Festival Committee, formed by the local conscription classes, in collaboration with the Pro Loco of Castiglione in Teverina and with the patronage of the municipal administration. A choral effort, carried out year after year by young and old alike, which ensures the continuity of a tradition rooted for over three centuries.

In the heart of the Viterbo Tuscia

Nestled on the hills that slope down toward the Tiber, on the border between Lazio and Umbria, Castiglione in Teverina is also known for its wines and the Wine Museum. The Most Holy Crucifix Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the village in its most vibrant and authentic guise, amidst spirituality, hospitality, and the flavors of the Tuscia countryside.