Saint Blaise Festival

The Patron Saint of Rapolla

Saint Blaise is the patron saint of Rapolla, and his feast, celebrated on February 2nd and 3rd, is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of this Vulture village. A celebration that deeply intertwines faith and popular tradition, symbolically marking the transition from winter to spring.

The Night of Candlemas and the Bonfire

On February 2nd, Candlemas Day, the festival comes alive in the Church of Saint Blaise with the blessing of the candles and Holy Mass. In the evening, the Saint Blaise Bonfire is lit, around which the community gathers for tastings of local specialties and a blessing of the fire. But the most characteristic moment arrives in the dead of night: the Nighttime Diana, a collective wake-up call marked by the roll of drums and bass drums, accompanied by the San Michele Arcangelo band, which traverses the still-sleeping streets of the town.

The Procession and the Blessing of the Throat

February 3rd is dedicated to the religious dimension: the procession carries the statue of the saint through the streets of Rapolla, while in the church, the rite of the Blessing of the Throat is renewed, linked to the tradition that holds Saint Blaise as protector against throat ailments. The day concludes with a fireworks display, in a festive atmosphere that unites the entire community.

A Living Tradition

Promoted by the Parish of Saint Blaise with the Municipality of Rapolla, the festival is a precious opportunity to discover the most authentic soul of Vulture, where popular devotion becomes a collective ritual and shared identity.