Patronal Feast of Saint John the Baptist

A patronal feast in the Sannio Apennines

Every year, towards the end of June, Castelfranco in Miscano gathers around its protector. The Patronal Feast of Saint John the Baptist is the most cherished event on the calendar of this small town in the province of Benevento, in Campania: the easternmost in the province, overlooking the Miscano Valley, with a landscape that rises to 950 meters, just a stone's throw from the border with Puglia and Irpinia. The liturgical feast falls on June 24th, the Nativity of the Baptist, and the program is built around this date, spanning several days and involving the parish, the municipal administration, festival committees, and families who return to the village specifically for the occasion.

The religious heart: novena, solemn mass, and procession

The feast begins in church, as tradition dictates. The days leading up to June 24th are marked by the novena, with moments of prayer, hymns, and catechesis preparing the community for the solemnity. The highlight arrives with the solemn mass and, immediately after, the procession of the statue of Saint John the Baptist through the streets of the historic center: the statue travels through the village amidst flowers, balcony decorations, and a level of participation that still sees entire families lining the route today. It is the moment when the town recognizes itself, uniting those who live in Castelfranco year-round with those who have emigrated but never miss the appointment.

The secular side: music, folklore, and fireworks

After the procession, the feast shifts gears and moves to the main square. The secular program alternates between live concerts, performances by folk groups with tarantellas and accordions, dance evenings, and shows for all ages. There is no shortage of:

• market stalls selling artisanal sweets, nougat, toys, and local crafts;
• games and tournaments for children, which enliven the days and transform the square into an extended courtyard;
• food stands featuring traditional peasant cuisine from the Miscano area and local wines;
• the fireworks display that closes the festivities, traditionally the most anticipated moment.

The atmosphere is that of the patronal feasts of the inner Sannio: no scenery built for tourism, but a collective liturgy that repeats from generation to generation, with festive lights tracing arches above the main street and the scent of grills mingling with the perfume of the flowers from the procession.

The flavors of the Miscano

Gastronomy is an integral part of the feast. Castelfranco in Miscano is a land of pastures and cheeses: the caciocavallo is the town's signature product, celebrated in autumn by a dedicated festival that reached its twenty-fifth edition in 2025. During the days of Saint John, you will find aged cheeses, cured meats, wood-fired bread, homemade pasta, and traditional desserts prepared in home kitchens. It is a concrete opportunity to taste the cuisine of the Benevento Apennines far from the beaten path.

Castelfranco in Miscano, a border village

Those who arrive for the feast will find a town worth exploring. The fabric of the historic center preserves the ruins of the medieval castle and traces of the ancient Porta della Terra, while the church and convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie date back to the 13th century. The territory is crossed by historical paths linked to ancient roads and transhumance, and the rural Chapel of San Lorenzo, rebuilt after the collapse of 1926, testifies to the widespread religiosity in the countryside. The town's name, according to local reconstructions, refers to a Franco feudal lord of the Angevin era or to the status of franca (free) land, exempt from taxes; the suffix in Miscano refers to the stream that carves its valley.

What to know for the 2026 edition

The feast is a recurring event held every year in June, around the 24th. However, as of the latest update, the detailed calendar for the 2026 edition has not been published online: precise dates and the program are usually released a few days before the start of the festivities via municipal notices, parish channels, and posters displayed in the village. Those planning a trip from outside the province should verify directly with the Municipality of Castelfranco in Miscano before setting off.