Saint Tryphon the Martyr Festival

The patronal feast of Marzano di Nola

In the municipality of Marzano di Nola, in the province of Avellino (Campania), the annual calendar has one fixed point: November 10th, the day dedicated to Saint Tryphon the Martyr, the town's patron saint. This date marks the beginning of a multi-day festival that involves the entire community: the religious program is managed by the Parish of Saint Tryphon the Martyr, while the civil events are organized by the Festival Committee in collaboration with the Diocese of Nola, the Order of Saint Tryphon the Martyr, and the municipal administration, which provides support via the Civil Protection and local police.

Who was Saint Tryphon

According to hagiographic tradition, Tryphon lived in the 3rd century under the Emperor Decius and suffered martyrdom for his faith: he was wounded in the feet, scourged, and exposed to fire—from which, popular devotion recounts, he emerged unscathed by divine miracle. For centuries, his figure has been linked to the protection of fields and harvests, an aspect that explains why the cult is so deeply rooted in an agricultural territory like the Vallo di Lauro, at the foot of the mountains separating Irpinia from the Nola area.

The religious program

The devotional aspect is the backbone of the festival and begins in the preceding days with the novena and triduum of preparation celebrated in the parish church. The recurring annual moments include:

• The town's awakening at dawn on the patron saint's day, announced by the ringing of bells and firecrackers;
• Holy masses throughout the day, often presided over by the Bishop of Nola or visiting priests from neighboring towns;
• The solemn procession with the effigy of the Saint through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by confraternities, the faithful, and brass bands;
• The kissing of the relic and the final Eucharistic celebration, which officially concludes the liturgical program.

The civil program

As evening falls, the town transforms: illuminations create arches along the main streets, while stalls selling sweets, nougat, and artisanal products stand alongside booths serving traditional Irpinian and Campanian dishes. The heart of the festivities is Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, which in past editions has hosted grand morning brass band concerts (featuring guest ensembles such as the Città di Sperone, Città di Lanciano, or the New Band of Angri), evening musical shows with popular Neapolitan artists, entertainment, and children's games. As is tradition for Southern patronal feasts, the finale is marked by a fireworks display that lights up the town late into the night.

Marzano di Nola, a small village of devotion

With just over 1,600 inhabitants and a surface area of only 4.7 square kilometers, Marzano di Nola is one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Avellino, nestled at an altitude of 90 meters in the Vallo di Lauro plain, on the border with the province of Naples. The village's heritage reflects the same religious vocation as the festival: the Church of Saint Tryphon the Martyr, with its 18th-century structure and Baroque style, the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima dell'Abbondanza, a medieval tower, and the remains of a Roman villa. In December 2014, the Bishop of Nola granted the municipality the title of Marian City, recognizing the centuries-old devotion of the local people. Thus, the town's year is marked by two poles: the Feast of the Abbondanza in summer and the Feast of Saint Tryphon in autumn.

The 2026 edition

At the moment, the official dates and the detailed program for the 2026 celebrations have not yet been released by the Committee or the Municipality. However, the liturgical feast of the patron saint remains fixed for November 10th, and in recent years, the festivities have extended over three to five days surrounding that date. To find out the schedule, artists, and times, it is advisable to follow the channels of the Parish of Saint Tryphon the Martyr, the municipal website, and the local Irpinian press, which usually publish the program in the preceding weeks.

Tips for your visit

• The highlight is November 10th: if you can only choose one day, this is the day for the procession and the fireworks.
• The center is small and largely pedestrianized during the festival: it is best to arrive early and park along the access roads to the town.
• This is an authentic village festival, not a staged tourist event: the best way to experience it is to mingle with the community, follow the procession, and stop at the food stalls.