Saint Roch Patronal Festival

The patron saint festival of Capriati a Volturno

The Saint Roch Patronal Festival is the most important annual celebration for Capriati a Volturno, a town in the Alto Casertano area of the Caserta province, in the far north of Campania, bordering Molise and overlooking the Volturno river valley. Every summer, around August 16th, the liturgical day of Saint Roch, the small village comes to a standstill to pay homage to its patron saint in a festival that weaves together religious devotion, popular traditions, and conviviality.

Saint Roch and the 1760 Confraternity

Devotion to Saint Roch in Capriati a Volturno has roots dating back to the 18th century. On July 28, 1760, a group of twenty-three citizens presented a petition to King Charles of Bourbon to establish a confraternity under the saint's protection; the statutes were approved on August 8th of the same year. Since then, the Confraternity of Saint Roch has guarded the cult and organized the patronal festivities from generation to generation, keeping alive a strong bond between the pilgrim saint, protector against epidemics, and the local community.

Religious Rites

The spiritual heart of the festival remains its liturgical dimension. The days are marked by Holy Masses, moments of prayer, and above all, the solemn procession on August 16th, when the statue of Saint Roch is carried through the streets of the historic center amidst the emotional participation of the faithful, the members of the Confraternity, local authorities, and the marching band. Illuminations light up the alleys and squares, transforming the village into a scenic display of light.

Music, Entertainment, and Folklore

Alongside the sacred rites, the festival offers a rich program of evening entertainment that enlivens the main square for several days. Pop and Neapolitan music concerts, street performances, folklore, and the traditional closing fireworks display mark the evenings. In the 2025 edition, for example, the event hosted Neapolitan singer Andrea Sannino, drawing a large audience from across the Alto Casertano region.

Local Flavors and Products

The patronal festival is also an opportunity to rediscover local gastronomy. Food stalls and stands featuring typical products from the Caserta hinterland are set up along the town's streets, showcasing specialties from an agricultural and pastoral land nestled between the Matese mountains and the Volturno valley. It is a time when the community gathers and welcomes visitors in a spirit of conviviality.

A Summer Event in Alto Casertano

Rooted for centuries in the life of the Municipality of Capriati a Volturno, the Saint Roch Festival represents much more than a religious anniversary: it is the moment when the town rediscovers its identity and shares it with those arriving from outside. For visitors, it is the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic and little-known corner of inland Campania, where tradition is still a matter of community.