Saint Anthony Festival - Tredicina at the Convent

Thirteen days of devotion in the heart of Nocera Inferiore

The Saint Anthony Festival is one of the most deeply felt and well-attended religious events of the year in Nocera Inferiore, located in the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area of the province of Salerno. At its heart is the Tredicina, thirteen days of prayer and reflection that guide the faithful from the beginning of June until June 13th, the solemnity of Saint Anthony of Padua. Every morning at dawn, hundreds of devotees gather for the first mass of the day: a simple, steadfast ritual that marks the spiritual journey toward the feast, repeated identically for generations.

The Convent of Saint Anthony, the site of the festival

The celebrations take place within the monumental complex of the Basilica and Convent of Saint Anthony, which overlooks the Parco hill. Its foundation dates back to the mid-13th century, around 1256, the year of the founder Guido Filangieri's death; construction was completed by 1286, as evidenced by the date engraved on a gray tuff frame discovered during restoration. The complex features a quadrangular cloister, a single-nave Gothic structure, a Renaissance portico, a library, and an art gallery, and also houses the Archaeological Museum of the Agro Nocerino. It is a place that has guarded the city's memory for centuries: here, the festival is not just liturgy, but also a rediscovery of a historical and artistic heritage that few visitors expect to find.

Religious celebrations

The Tredicina is organized by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the convent with the patronage of the Municipality of Nocera Inferiore. The liturgical program spans the entire day, with the most intense moments occurring at dawn and during the evening celebration. On June 13th, holy masses are held hourly until the afternoon, followed by the solemn evening service, while in the preceding days, the procession with the statue of the Saint winds through the city streets, accompanied by confraternities and a marching band.

• Daily holy masses at dawn, in the morning, and in the evening
• Celebrations presided over by bishops and religious members of the Order
• On June 13th, hourly masses and a solemn evening celebration
• Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony through the city streets

Beyond liturgy: food, music, and community

A rich program of secular events grows around the celebrations each year. The Saint Anthony Food Festival, promoted by the Franciscan Family in the Arenula district at Piazza Padre Guglielmo Salierno, offers simple, homemade dishes prepared by volunteers—pasta and beans, tripe, sandwiches, side dishes, and homemade desserts—with proceeds dedicated to charity and the maintenance of the convent. There are also events for children, concerts in the cloister, and special openings of the museum and art gallery, allowing visitors to explore the complex during its most vibrant time.

A festival that tells the story of the city

The Nocera Inferiore festival is a deeply popular Antonian celebration: there are no tickets and no stages, just a community finding its identity in a shared space. The spirit of solidarity is an integral part of the tradition—in recent years, the proceeds from the Tredicina have been donated to missionary projects and the restoration of the convent—giving the event a meaning that transcends mere devotion. For those visiting Campania in June, it is a unique opportunity to experience a local patronal festival in the Vesuvian hinterland, far from the tourist circuits of the coast.

When it takes place

The festival is held every year in June, culminating on the 13th, the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua. For the 2026 edition, the detailed calendar has not yet been publicly released by the friars; therefore, the dates provided in this entry are indicative and will be updated as soon as the official program is published.