Patronal Feast in honor of Saint Ciriacus, Saint Lawrence, and Saint Donatus

A patronal feast in the heart of Irpinia

Every year, in early August, Torre Le Nocelle gathers around its protector saint. With just over 1,200 inhabitants, at an altitude of 419 meters, and a handful of roads winding up the ridge of the Calore Valley, the village in the province of Avellino—in the heart of inland Campania—completely transforms when the festive lights are switched on and families return from abroad and northern cities to attend. The Patronal Feast in honor of Saint Ciriacus, Saint Lawrence, and Saint Donatus is, along with the Bonfire Night in March, the most heartfelt moment in the local calendar.

The Sanctuary and the relics arrived from Rome in 1635

The heart of the feast is the Sanctuary of Saint Ciriacus the Deacon and Martyr, located in the center of the village, right by Piazza Vittoria. The building dates back to the 18th century and was restored after the 1980 earthquake; it is recognizable from afar by its multi-level bell tower topped with an onion dome. The sanctuary houses the relics of Saint Ciriacus, a deacon in Rome in the late 3rd century: part of them was transferred from the Roman basilica of Santa Maria in Via Lata to Torre Le Nocelle on August 8, 1635, and placed in a wooden bust depicting the saint. Since that date, August 8th has become the village's most important day. In 1993, the church also received the saint's blood relic and was granted the status of a sanctuary.

Three saints, three liturgical days

The festival calendar follows fixed and recognizable dates, which explain its four-day duration:

• August 7 — Saint Donatus: Masses throughout the day and an evening procession through the village streets.
• August 8 — Saint Ciriacus: The patron saint's day, beginning at dawn with the dressing of the martyr's bust and culminating in a solemn Eucharistic celebration and a midday procession.
• August 10 — Saint Lawrence: Morning masses, the final procession, and the conclusion of the festivities.

In recent editions, the solemn celebration on August 8th has been presided over by the Archbishop of Benevento, Monsignor Felice Accrocca, a sign of the bond between the local community and its diocese.

The dressing, the procession, and the wheat wagons

First-time visitors are struck by two rituals. The first is the dressing of the saint, which takes place in the early hours of August 8th, when the village is still dark and the church is already full. The second is the parade of wheat wagons, which crosses Piazza Vittoria in the morning: an agricultural tradition of thanksgiving for the harvest, typical of rural Irpinia, which accompanies the return of the procession. All around, devotees follow the reliquary bust with songs and prayers along the entire perimeter of the historic center.

Bands, lights, and fireworks

Alongside the religious program, the committee has always organized a well-curated secular program. The streets of the historic center are illuminated with artistic light installations and lined with stalls selling local products; in the evenings, traditional southern brass band concerts take place in Piazza Vittoria, alongside musical performances and comedy shows. The most anticipated event, however, remains the pyrotechnics: the daytime fireworks that greet the return of the procession on August 8th, the renowned prize-winning firework competition at midnight, and the final show that closes the festival on the night of August 10th. In past years, the stage has hosted famous names from Neapolitan music and entertainment, from Sal Da Vinci and Gigi Finizio to the comedy duo Gigi and Ross.

Torre Le Nocelle beyond the festival

The village is located about 24 kilometers from Avellino, in a territory known for its hazelnuts—from which the name Torre Le Nocelle derives—as well as extra virgin olive oil and Taurasi vineyards. Those who visit for the festivities will find a village of ancient origins, founded as a watchtower between the fiefdoms of Montefusco and Montemiletto, featuring the gastronomic traditions of inland Irpinia: handmade pasta, grilled meats, and hazelnut desserts. For many, the August festival is the best opportunity to discover it.