Patronal Feast of Saint Roch

Devotion Born with the Plague

In Grottole, an ancient village in the province of Matera overlooking the Basento valley, the Patronal Feast of Saint Roch is the most cherished event of the summer. The cult of the pilgrim saint from Montpellier, protector against epidemics, has been documented in the village since 1665, when the community turned to him after the great plague. Since then, every August 16th, Grottole renews its vow, bringing the entire population and numerous emigrants returning for the occasion together around the patron saint.

Procession Through the Castle and Old Village

The heart of the festival is the morning procession, which starts from the church of Saint Roch (Santa Maria la Grotta) and ascends to the castle, where the rite of entrustment to the saint takes place, before crossing the alleys of the medieval core and returning to the church. In recent years, the procession has been enhanced by a parade of finely decorated horses and a procession of figures in traditional Lucanian and medieval costumes, recalling the village's history. The statue of the saint is adorned for the occasion with a hat, cloak, staff, satchel, boots, and a silver dog: objects donated in the early twentieth century by Grottole emigrants in the United States.

Feast of Faith and Community

Alongside the religious dimension, civil celebrations animate the village with lights, musical bands, concerts, shows, and food stalls offering Lucanian specialties, culminating in the traditional evening fireworks. Experiencing Grottole on Saint Roch's Day means discovering a village with a strong identity, suspended between badlands and history, at its most intense and participatory moment.