Saint Paul the Apostle Festival

A centuries-old tradition in Casale di Carinola

The Saint Paul the Apostle Festival is the most cherished patronal celebration for the community of Casale di Carinola, a historic hamlet in the municipality of Carinola, located in the heart of the Agro Caleno in the province of Caserta, Campania. Every year, on January 24th and 25th, the entire village gathers around its patron saint with a devotion rooted in a centuries-old tradition passed down through generations.

The legend of lupins and wine

The most distinctive moment of the festival is the blessing of the lupins (known locally as salatielli) and wine. Popular legend tells that when Saint Paul arrived in these lands to catechize the inhabitants, he was welcomed by farmers tending their vines, who offered him the very lupins and wine they were eating as a sign of hospitality. Since then, on the eve of the festival, quintals of lupins are soaked, boiled, and distributed to the faithful and pilgrims, along with wine, as a gesture of sharing and good fortune.

Saint Paul's Wake-up Call to the sound of drums

The emotional heart of the festival is the Sveglia di San Paolo: at dawn on January 25th, around four in the morning, the village is awakened by the rolling of drums marching through the streets, announcing the solemn day of the patron saint. It is an evocative ritual of identity that draws residents out into the winter darkness.

Religious rites and civic festivities

The two days alternate between liturgical celebrations and popular festivities. These include Holy Masses, a solemn Mass presided over by the Bishop, the procession with the statue of the saint through the village streets to the chapel of Saint Paul, concerts by the Concerto Bandistico Città di Casale band, and the highly anticipated fireworks that mark the key moments. In the evening, musical performances and entertainment bring the village center to life.

An identity heritage of the Caserta area

More than just a religious event, the Saint Paul the Apostle Festival represents a true cultural heritage for Casale di Carinola: a blend of faith, rural memory, traditional gastronomy, and a sense of belonging that renews the community's bond with its roots every January. It is a precious opportunity to discover the authentic soul of the Campania hinterland, far from the most beaten tourist paths.