Saint Roch Festival (Patronal Feast)

The patronal feast of Cittareale

On August 16th, Cittareale, a mountain village in the province of Rieti, in the Lazio region, gathers to honor its patron saint, Saint Roch. The patronal feast is one of the most cherished events of the year for this small community in the Upper Velino Valley: a day where religious devotion and popular tradition intertwine, drawing back those who have emigrated and return for the summer season.

Saint Roch, protector invoked against epidemics

Venerated throughout Italy and much of Europe, Saint Roch is traditionally invoked as a protector against the plague and contagious diseases. His feast day falls everywhere on August 16th, the day following Ferragosto and the Solemnity of the Assumption. In Cittareale, as in many Apennine villages, the tradition has been preserved from generation to generation, maintaining the intimate and communal character of village festivals.

Between procession and community

The heart of the day is the procession: the statue of Saint Roch is carried on shoulders through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by the faithful, the clergy, and often the local brass band. The High Mass in honor of the patron marks the most important liturgical moment, while in the evening, the village comes alive with gatherings, music, and social moments that strengthen the community bond.

Cittareale, a village at the springs of the Velino

Located at an altitude of over 950 meters, on the border between Lazio, Umbria, and Abruzzo, Cittareale stands in the territory of the ancient Vicus Phalacrinae, the birthplace of the Roman emperor Vespasian. The village is dominated by the evocative Rocca, a medieval fortress, and is located a short distance from the springs of the Velino River and the slopes of Monte Pozzoni. The Saint Roch Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover this authentic corner of the Reatine Apennines, far from mass tourism routes, amidst pristine nature, ancient history, and genuine hospitality.

A summer event in the Rieti area

Included in the summer events calendar of the Upper Velino Valley, the patronal feast of Cittareale represents one of the many threads that keep the identity of the mountain communities of the Municipality of Cittareale and the entire province of Rieti alive. A simple and sincere tradition that renews the bond between the village and its patron saint every August 16th.