Saint Restituta Festival
The patronal feast of the island of Ischia in Lacco Ameno
About Saint Restituta
The patronal feast of the island of Ischia
The Saint Restituta Festival is the most iconic celebration in Lacco Ameno, in the province of Naples, in the heart of the island of Ischia. Saint Restituta is the patron saint of the entire island, and every May, this small town in Campania dedicates a long cycle of festivities to her, blending religious devotion with folk tradition, music, and entertainment. The heart of the celebrations is the Pontifical Sanctuary Basilica of Saint Restituta, which overlooks the square of the same name and houses, in the famous excavations below, one of the most important early Christian sites in the Mediterranean.
The legend of the Saint
According to tradition, Restituta was a young Christian martyr who, condemned to be burned on a boat, miraculously arrived unharmed at the Bay of San Montano. The flames consumed only the boat, while her body reached the shores of Lacco Ameno intact, where a local woman named Licina, warned by an angel, collected her remains to give them a proper burial. This story forms the deep bond between the Saint and the territory, still commemorated today during the most moving moments of the festival.
Faith, sea, and spectacle
The program alternates between sacred rites and secular events. Alongside the novena and solemn masses, highlights include the sea procession on May 17th, when the effigy of the Saint is carried on a boat along the coast, and the re-enactment of the landing and martyrdom at Ripas, organized by the Le Ripe association and recognized as intangible heritage of the Campania Region. There are also concerts in Piazza Santa Restituta, performances by local marching bands, and grand firework displays that illuminate the gulf and attract people from all over the island.
An event for the whole island
For Ischia, and Lacco Ameno in particular, the May festival is a moment of community that goes beyond ritual: the town center is adorned with lights, bustling with stalls, and welcomes thousands of pilgrims and tourists. It is the ideal opportunity to discover one of the most elegant villages on the 'Green Island,' with its famous Fungo rock, thermal spas, and the ancient history of Pithecusae, the oldest Greek colony in the West.
- Where: Lacco Ameno, island of Ischia (Naples), Campania
- When: In the second half of May, around May 17th-18th
- Heart of the festival: Sanctuary Basilica of Saint Restituta and Piazza Santa Restituta
- Highlights: Sea procession, re-enactment of the landing at Ripas, concerts, and fireworks
Saint Restituta — edition 2026
2026 Edition
Eleven days of celebrations, from May 8th to 18th, 2026, marked the Saint Restituta Festival in Lacco Ameno, which this year coincided with the Solemnity of the Ascension. A rich calendar that combined the religious rites of the Sanctuary Basilica with grand evenings in Piazza Santa Restituta.
Main highlights
The event opened on May 8th with a Grand Lyric-Symphonic Concert and featured, on Saturday, May 16th, the sacred representation of the Saint's martyrdom and landing at Ripas, organized by the Le Ripe association. On Sunday, May 17th, the traditional procession along the marina and the evocative sea procession took place; on Monday, May 18th, the day of the Solemnity, the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Bishop, the evening procession, and the concert by Monica Sarnelli in the square were held.
Programme Saint Restituta 2026
Friday, May 8th
- 9:00 PM — Piazza Santa Restituta: Grand Lyric-Symphonic Concert conducted by Maestro Claudio Matarese, with soprano Antonella Iacono, tenor Sandro Grimaldi, and vocalist Rossella Barbieri
- Fireworks at sea
Saturday, May 16th
- 9:00 PM — Bay of San Montano (Ripas): Sacred representation of the martyrdom and landing of Saint Restituta, organized by the Le Ripe association, recognized as intangible heritage of the Campania Region
Sunday, May 17th
- 7:00 AM — Holy Mass
- 9:00 AM — Parade through the town by the "Città di Forio" marching band
- 10:00 AM — Procession along the marina of Lacco Ameno, returning to the Basilica for the solemn exposition of the Saint's image
- Sea procession: The Saint's effigy is carried on a boat from the Lacco Ameno pier towards Punta Caruso and Casamicciola
Monday, May 18th — Solemnity of Saint Restituta
- 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM — Holy Masses
- 10:30 AM — Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by H.E. Bishop Carlo Villano, with the diocesan clergy of the island of Ischia
- 6:30 PM — Holy Mass
- 7:30 PM — Procession through the town streets accompanied by the "Città di Ischia" marching band
- 10:00 PM — Piazza Santa Restituta: Concert by Monica Sarnelli
Highlights Saint Restituta 2026
- Sea procession of the Saint's effigy along the coast
- Re-enactment of the landing and martyrdom at Ripas (intangible heritage of the Campania Region)
- Opening Grand Lyric-Symphonic Concert
- Concert by Monica Sarnelli in Piazza Santa Restituta
- Fireworks over the gulf
Prices Saint Restituta 2026
Practical information — Saint Restituta
Getting there
Lacco Ameno is located on the island of Ischia, which can be reached by ferry and hydrofoil from the ports of Naples (Molo Beverello and Calata Porta di Massa) and Pozzuoli. From the Ischia Porto or Casamicciola terminals, the town is served by EAV public buses and taxis.
Admission
Religious celebrations, the procession, the re-enactment, and concerts in the square are free of charge.
Tips
May is peak tourist season: it is advisable to book accommodation well in advance. During the festival, traffic restrictions and maritime circulation changes are expected in the port area; it is best to explore the town center on foot.
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Where does it take place — Saint Restituta
Basilica Pontificia Santuario di Santa Restituta
Piazza Santa Restituta, 80076 Lacco Ameno