Pilgrimage to Saint Nazarius the Martyr

An ancient devotion at the foot of the Gargano

The Pilgrimage to Saint Nazarius the Martyr is one of the most deeply felt religious traditions in the Alto Tavoliere and the western side of the Gargano. Every year, on July 27th and 28th, thousands of devotees set out on a journey towards the Sanctuary of San Nazario, an ancient hermitage located in the Poggio Imperiale municipality, in the Province of Foggia (Apulia), on the southern shore of Lake Lesina.

The sanctuary stands in a symbolic position, at the crossroads of four municipalities: Poggio Imperiale, Lesina, Apricena, and San Nicandro Garganico. For centuries, this pilgrimage has united the local communities, who converge on foot toward the same place of worship nestled in the countryside, not far from the small Caldoli river.

The history of the sanctuary

The rural chapel, with its bell gable, arch, and cross, was built between the 11th and 13th centuries on a site that tradition claims was originally dedicated to a pagan cult linked to the figure of Podalirius. Over time, the site was consecrated to Saint Nazarius, a young 1st-century Roman legionary martyred by beheading alongside Saint Celsus near Milan for spreading the Christian faith. Inside the hermitage, an altar, a wooden statue of the saint, and paintings depicting the miracles attributed to him are preserved.

A central element of popular devotion is the stone block upon which, according to legend, Saint Nazarius rested his head before his martyrdom: the stone, polished by the hands and kisses of pilgrims over the centuries, remains an object of great veneration.

The pilgrimage and the feast

Tradition dictates that on both July 27th and 28th, the most devout reach the sanctuary on foot, often setting off at night from neighboring towns to arrive at dawn. On the morning of July 28th, the day the Church celebrates Saint Nazarius, a solemn mass is officiated, followed by a procession with the saint's statue along the square in front of the hermitage, attended by representatives of the municipal administrations of the surrounding towns.

The popular festival develops around the religious core: in the large sanctuary square, a grand fair is set up with stalls, local products, rides, and vendors, in an atmosphere reminiscent of ancient country fairs. Following an ancient custom, many pilgrims bathe their feet in the waters of the nearby Caldoli, which are considered beneficial and characterized by a constant temperature.

A heritage of faith and local identity

The pilgrimage to San Nazario represents much more than a religious appointment: it is a moment of shared identity for the entire Poggio Imperiale district and neighboring municipalities, renewing a deep bond with the territory, rural memory, and the popular spirituality of the Capitanata region. For visitors, it is an opportunity to discover a little-known corner of Apulia, between the Gargano and Lake Lesina, where faith, nature, and tradition have been intertwined for nearly a thousand years.

Official information on the detailed program for the 2026 edition has not yet been released: however, the festival always follows the liturgical date of July 27th and 28th.