Patronal Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Faith, brass bands, and tradition in late June in the Cilento village overlooking the Gulf of Policastro
About SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca
A patronal feast in the heart of the Cilento
Every year, at the end of June, the small town of Torraca, in the Province of Salerno (Campania), gathers around its patron saints for the Patronal Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The village, with just over a thousand inhabitants perched among olive trees a few kilometers from the Gulf of Policastro and within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, experiences its most heartfelt identity-defining event: the bells of the Church of San Pietro Apostolo, the brass band parading through the narrow streets, the illuminations along the main road, and the procession of the saints' effigies carried on the shoulders of the faithful.
The 2026 Parish Jubilee: 250 and 370 years of devotion
The 2026 edition was the most significant in recent decades. The community celebrated a true Parish Jubilee, opened on May 31st and extended until September 13th, to commemorate two coinciding anniversaries: the 250th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Peter the Apostle as patron of Torraca, established by a decree on May 26, 1776, and the 370th anniversary of the recognition of the Madonna dei Cordici as protector against the plague and co-patron of the town, dating back to 1656. A year of grace marked by community moments and events dedicated to the elderly, youth, and families, presented by the parish priest Father Francesco Alpino together with Bishop Monsignor Antonio De Luca.
The days of the feast
The heart of the festivities remains the traditional two-day event on June 28th and 29th, to which the evening of June 27th was added in 2026. The calendar thus combined liturgical and popular elements:
- Saturday, June 27 — the Jubilee Festival, organized by the Pro Loco of Torraca, dedicated to reviving local gastronomic traditions.
- Sunday, June 28 — the Jubilee for the Elderly, with Holy Mass and a buffet in honor of the town's over-70s.
- Monday, June 29 — the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, with Holy Masses and the procession of the effigies through the streets of the village.
The table as a gesture of solidarity
The Jubilee Festival was not just a social gathering. The proceeds were entirely donated to the Cultural Association for the Sanctuary of the Cordici, which is working on the restoration of the sanctuary's churchyard, which collapsed on February 5, 2026, due to a landslide that also affected the municipal road and power lines. The sacred building remained standing, but the access path was declared unsafe for the faithful, and the Marian celebrations, including the novena, were moved to the Church of San Pietro Apostolo. Eating together in Torraca became a concrete way to rebuild a place dear to the heart.
Torraca, the village
Suspended between the sea of the Gulf of Policastro and the first heights of the southern Cilento, Torraca was founded as a refuge for coastal populations fleeing pirate raids. Traces of Lucanian tombs and Roman farms tell of ancient settlement, while the current town already existed in the 11th century, when a group of Italo-Greek monks founded a monastery there. In recent times, the town has become known far beyond regional borders as the first municipality in the world to illuminate all its streets with LED technology since 2008: a choice that has also restored the view of the starry sky to the inhabitants, a remarkable backdrop for the evenings of late June.
Why it is worth the trip
Visitors will find an authentic patronal feast, not built for tourism: the brass band wandering through the alleys, the Baronial Castle, the Borgo Spadarea, and the Fontana Nuova becoming processional stops, fireworks over the valley, and families opening their homes to relatives returning from abroad. It is a miniature portrait of how inland Campania, and the Cilento in particular, holds together popular religiosity, historical memory, and village cuisine.
SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca — edition 2026
A jubilee edition
2026 marked a double and unrepeatable anniversary for Torraca. The Parish Jubilee, opened on Sunday, May 31, and extended until September 13, commemorated the 250 years since the 1776 decree that proclaimed Saint Peter the Apostle patron of the town and the 370 years since the recognition of the Madonna dei Cordici as protector against the plague and co-patron in 1656. The patronal feast of late June thus became the most intense moment of that journey, presided over by the parish priest Father Francesco Alpino and included in the diocesan path led by Bishop Monsignor Antonio De Luca.
Faith, tradition, and taste
Alongside the liturgical celebrations, the community desired a convivial and solidary dimension. The Jubilee Festival, organized by the Pro Loco of Torraca, was designed to rediscover the gastronomic traditions of the village and to raise funds: the proceeds were donated to the Cultural Association for the Sanctuary of the Cordici, which is working on the restoration of the churchyard that collapsed on February 5, 2026. The following day, the Jubilee for the Elderly focused on the town's over-70s, with Holy Mass and a buffet in their honor.
The procession of June 29
On Monday, June 29, the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Holy Masses were held in the Church of San Pietro Apostolo before the procession, with the effigies of the two saints carried through the streets of the town along with images dear to local devotion. A day that also brought many emigrants back to Torraca for the occasion.
Programme SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca 2026
Sunday, May 31 — Opening of the Parish Jubilee
- 17:30 — Brass band parade through the streets of the town and concert by the San Giovanni a Piro band.
- 18:30 — Welcome of the ancient statue of Saint Peter, restored by restorer Caterina Cammarano of Ascea Marina, at the chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua on Via San Rocco, with blessing.
- 18:45 — Departure of the procession towards the Baronial Castle.
- 19:00 — Eucharistic celebration presided over by the parish priest Father Francesco Alpino and reading of the 1776 decree.
- Following — Short procession towards Borgo Spadarea and Fontana Nuova, fireworks display, and return to the church.
Saturday, June 27 — Jubilee Festival
- Gastronomic evening organized by the Pro Loco of Torraca, dedicated to the recovery of local culinary traditions.
- Proceeds donated to the Cultural Association for the Sanctuary of the Cordici for the restoration of the sanctuary's churchyard.
Sunday, June 28 — Jubilee for the Elderly
- Holy Mass dedicated to the elderly of the community.
- Following, buffet in honor of the over-70s of Torraca.
Monday, June 29 — Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
- Celebration of Holy Masses in the Church of San Pietro Apostolo.
- Procession through the streets of the town with the effigies of Saints Peter and Paul.
Highlights SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca 2026
- Parish jubilee year: 250 years of Saint Peter as patron and 370 years of the Madonna dei Cordici as co-patron.
- The return to the town of the ancient statue of Saint Peter, restored for the occasion.
- The Pro Loco Jubilee Festival, with proceeds destined for the restoration of the Sanctuary of the Cordici churchyard.
- The Jubilee for the Elderly, with Mass and buffet for the community's over-70s.
- The procession of the effigies of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 through the alleys of the historic center.
Prices SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca 2026
Practical information — SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca
How to get there
Torraca can be reached by car from the Padula-Buonabitacolo exit of the A2 del Mediterraneo motorway, continuing along the junction towards the Gulf of Policastro; the nearest exit is Sapri/Bosco. The reference railway station is Sapri (Naples-Reggio Calabria Tyrrhenian line), about 15 km away, connected by local bus lines. The nearest airports are Naples-Capodichino and Lamezia Terme.
Where it takes place
The celebrations are held in the Church of San Pietro Apostolo and along the streets of the historic center. The Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Cordici is currently undergoing restoration work on the churchyard following the landslide of February 2026: always check accessibility before going up.
Costs
Participation in religious celebrations and the procession is free. For the Jubilee Festival and other social events, organizers release details on the channels of the Parish and the Pro Loco of Torraca in the days prior.
Tips
The streets of the village are narrow and steep: it is advisable to leave the car in the parking lots at the entrance to the town and continue on foot with comfortable shoes. The end of June is already warm, but the evenings at altitude are cooler. For accommodation, the coast between Sapri, Vibonati, and Villammare offers the widest range of options just a few minutes away by car.
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Where does it take place — SS. Peter and Paul in Torraca
Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo e centro storico di Torraca