San Cristanziano Festival and Fair

The Patron Saint of Agnone

On May 13th, Agnone, in the province of Isernia, celebrates its patron saint San Cristanziano with a day that intertwines religious rites and civil events. According to local popular tradition, the saint is a protector against natural disasters and human discord; the elders tell that the rain that often falls on this day commemorates the saint's "miracle" who saved the town from the plague with abundant rainfall.

The Great Spring Fair

The morning is dedicated to the popular great fair, which fills the streets parallel to the main corso with stalls and merchandise: an important event for the citizens of the town center, for local farmers, and for the inhabitants of neighboring villages.

Mass, City Keys, and Procession

In the afternoon, the Eucharistic celebrations culminate at 5:30 PM in the Church of San Francesco (temporarily used during the restoration work of the mother church of San Marco). During the mass, the mayor offers the keys of the city and candles to the patron saint. This is followed by the procession with the silver bust of the saint, a work by artist Ettore Marinelli. In the evening, at 9:30 PM, a concert in Piazza Plebiscito concludes the feast.