Saint Anthony of Padua Patronal Feast

The Patronal Feast of Andretta

Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of Andretta, a small town in the Alta Irpinia area of the province of Avellino, in Campania. Unlike most Italian towns that celebrate the Saint on June 13th, the local tradition here places the recurrence in early September: the local calendar marks September 3rd, 4th, and 5th as the days dedicated to the patronal festivities, coinciding with the historic local fair.

Three days of devotion and community

The patronal feast is the moment when the entire village comes together. Liturgical celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony mark the days, while the streets and squares of the historic center host the secular part of the event. It is the appointment that draws many emigrated Andrettesi and their descendants back to the village: for many, the summer return concludes precisely with the patron's feast.

The event is promoted by the Municipality of Andretta together with the parish community and local associations. Access to the celebrations is free and open to all, as indicated by the Municipality itself.

The Fair of San Gerardo, San Rocco, and Sant'Antonio

Linked to the festivities is one of the most deep-rooted traditions of the town: the Fair of San Gerardo, San Rocco, and Sant'Antonio, held in Andretta on the same days of September 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Irpinian fairs historically originated during patronal feasts and the most venerated saints' days: they were the moment when the sacred and the profane met, and when entire mountain communities gathered to exchange livestock, tools, agricultural products, and crafts. In Andretta, this custom has survived to this day, with stalls enlivening the town for the entire duration of the feast.

Andretta, a village in Alta Irpinia

Andretta stands at approximately 850 meters of altitude and has just under two thousand inhabitants. The ancient core develops around the remains of the castle, among stone houses and narrow alleys that wind along the slope. Places to visit during your stay include the 18th-century Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its carved wooden choir and a canvas attributed to the school of Luca Giordano, the 16th-century Santuario della Stella Mattutina, and the Museum of Peasant and Artisan Civilization, which preserves tools and objects of rural life from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The town is also known for the Andretta Historical Pageant, the re-enactment that in August reconstructs the 1633 journey of the Genoese nobleman Gian Vincenzo Imperiale through his fiefdoms: those arriving in Andretta at the end of summer will find a particularly rich calendar, ranging from the historical re-enactment to the patron saint's feast.

Local flavors

The feast is also an opportunity to discover the gastronomy of Alta Irpinia. Among the typical products of the area, the caciocavallo podolico cheese and Irpinian cured meats stand out, accompanied by traditional homemade breads and pastas. During the fair days, it is not uncommon to find stalls dedicated to local producers and artisans, making the event a small showcase of the town's economy.

How to experience the feast

• Period: Early September, traditionally the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of the month.
• Location: Historic center of Andretta (AV), in Campania.
• Admission: Free.
• Information: Municipality of Andretta, Via Libertà 1 — tel. +39 0827 32009.

The dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been published at the time of writing: before traveling, it is advisable to check with the Municipality of Andretta or the parish, which distribute the calendar of festivities in the preceding weeks.