Patronal Feast of Saint Philip Neri

The festival that guards the soul of the village

The Patronal Feast of Saint Philip Neri is the most defining event for Roseto Valfortore, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" tucked away in the Monti Dauni, in the heart of the Apennines in the province of Foggia, Puglia. Saint Philip Neri, the town's patron, is celebrated every year in late May with four days of events that weave together spirituality, culture, and folk tradition in a ritual that has united the entire Roseto community for centuries.

The bread toss and the fountain of milk and wine

The most anticipated and spectacular moment is the tossing of bread, cheese, and vegetables from the balconies of the historic center, held on the day of the feast in Piazza Bartolomeo III di Capua. This symbolic gesture, representing abundance, sharing, and the collective strength of the community, is accompanied by the striking fountain of milk and wine. It is an ancient and deeply identity-driven rite, rooted in the peasant culture of the Monti Dauni, which draws numerous visitors and returning emigrants every year.

Processions, brass bands, and choirs

The religious dimension remains the heart of the festival. The eve and the day of the patron saint are marked by solemn Holy Masses, the festive ringing of bells, and evening processions through the village streets, with the statues of Saint Philip Neri and the Madonna del Carmine carried on shoulders through streets decorated for the occasion. The liturgical and civil moments are accompanied by the "Città di Roseto" brass band and parish choirs, such as the "Santa Cecilia" choir, while evenings in the square come alive with pop music concerts and performances.

A village in the Monti Dauni

Set among the stone alleys, fountains, and tower-houses of one of the most evocative villages in the Capitanata region, the festival is also an opportunity to discover Roseto Valfortore and its artisanal and gastronomic traditions. The Municipality of Roseto Valfortore, together with the Pro Loco and the parish, enriches the program with exhibitions, creative workshops for children, impromptu painting competitions, and cultural initiatives, integrating the patronal feast into the town's broader summer calendar.

Why attend

• Witness the traditional tossing of bread and vegetables from the balconies, one of the most original folk rites in inland Puglia.
• Experience the evening processions and religious celebrations in the medieval historic center.
• Listen to the town brass band and sacred choirs through the village streets.
• Discover Roseto Valfortore, one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages in the Monti Dauni, and its typical local flavors.