Patronal Feast of Saint John the Baptist

The patronal feast of Castelluccio Valmaggiore

The Patronal Feast of Saint John the Baptist is the most important date on the calendar of Castelluccio Valmaggiore, a village of just over a thousand inhabitants perched in the heart of the Subappennino Dauno, in the province of Foggia, Puglia. Saint John the Baptist is the town's patron saint, and his feast is celebrated every year on June 24th, the day of the Baptist's nativity, involving the entire community in both religious devotion and secular festivities.

A village of Byzantine origin

The name Castelluccio Valmaggiore derives from Castrum Vallis Maioris, referring to the ancient Byzantine castle built around the year 1000 to overlook the Maggiore valley and the Celone stream. Walking through the historic center during the feast means crossing alleys and squares that tell centuries of history, from the Valle del Celone Museum to the village's ancient churches. It is in this evocative setting that the patron saint's procession unfolds.

The novena and religious rites

The festivities are preceded by a novena held in the Mother Church in the days leading up to the feast, with celebrations and sermons led by diocesan priests. On the solemn day of June 24th, Holy Masses are celebrated throughout the day, while in the evening, the venerated polychrome statue of Saint John the Baptist is carried on the shoulders of the faithful through the streets of the old and new town, accompanied by authorities, the band, and the entire population.

Music, bands, and fireworks

Alongside the religious dimension, the feast has a strong popular component: the musical band enlivens the morning with its traditional tour of the town's streets and a matinée in the square, while in the evening, the stage set up in Piazza Marconi hosts concerts by musical groups and shows. The grand finale is provided by fireworks, which light up the sky of the Subappennino Dauno and salute the statue's return to the church. In the days immediately preceding, evenings and events organized by local associations are added, making the feast a moment of gathering for young and old alike.

Why attend

The Patronal Feast of Saint John the Baptist is an authentic opportunity to discover the popular traditions of the Daunia region far from mass tourism circuits. In Castelluccio Valmaggiore, the feast is not a show for tourists, but a rite experienced by the community, where faith, music, and the typical flavors of the territory intertwine in one of the most characteristic patronal celebrations in the entire Subappennino Dauno.