Patronal Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena

The Patron Saint of Varazze

The Patronal Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena is one of the most cherished events for the community of Varazze, in the province of Savona. The devotion to the Sienese Saint has its roots in a specific historical event: the passage of Saint Catherine through Varazze in 1376, during her journey to Avignon. 2026 marks the 650th anniversary of that event, and the celebrations take on an even more solemn significance.

Rites and Devotion

The feast begins with the novena at the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity, nine evenings of prayer and reflection that prepare for the solemnity. The climax is the solemn mass in the Collegiate Church of Sant'Ambrogio, followed by the traditional procession that winds through the historic center and along the seafront, returning in the afternoon.

The Historical Pageant

Alongside the religious dimension, the feast preserves a strong historical memory. The Sacred Representation of the Historical Pageant, with groups from the districts in costume, re-enacts the Saint's passage and enlivens Piazza Sant'Ambrogio. To complete the program, there are opportunities for deeper understanding with local historians and a concert by the town band, in a continuous dialogue between faith, culture, and identity.

Varazze and its History

A coastal town overlooking the Ligurian Sea, Varazze preserves churches, oratories, and traces of an important maritime past in its historic center. The patronal feast is the moment when this heritage comes alive, involving the entire community in days of tradition and participation.