San Girolamo Emiliani Festival

A neighborhood festival in the heart of Statte

The San Girolamo Emiliani Festival is the most anticipated event in the former 167 district of Statte, in the province of Taranto, in the heart of the Ionian Puglia region. The neighborhood bears the name of the saint to whom the parish is dedicated. Run by the Somascan Fathers, the parish has long been a landmark and a bastion of legality and integration for local families. Every year, towards the end of May, the community comes together for a day of faith, music, and conviviality that engages both young and old.

Who was San Girolamo Emiliani

A Venetian nobleman who lived between 1486 and 1537, Girolamo Emiliani founded the Congregation of the Somascan Regular Clerics, the Somascan Fathers, dedicating himself with tireless charity to orphans and abandoned youth. For this reason, in 1928, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the universal patron saint of orphans and abandoned youth. His legacy of caring for the most vulnerable continues to live on in the district, where the parish oratory offers youth and sports activities.

The festival day

The celebration revolves around the liturgical life of the parish. In the morning, Holy Masses are held, while in the afternoon, the most poignant moment is the procession with the statue of the saint, which winds through the streets of the district accompanied by a brass band. The streets, with names inspired by great Italian theaters and composers, fill with the faithful and curious onlookers. In the evening, the Solemn Mass concludes the religious portion, giving way to the square festivities.

Music, illuminations, and flavors

As evening falls, the district lights up: festive illuminations frame the festival area, and the musical show begins, accompanied by the inevitable gastronomic tastings that smell of Apulian tradition. It is the moment when the community gathers outdoors, amidst music, dancing, and traditional dishes, extending the party late into the night in a climate of family cheer.

A community appointment

More than just a religious anniversary, the San Girolamo Emiliani Festival is a collective ritual that strengthens the neighborhood's sense of belonging. For those visiting the Taranto area, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic and popular side of Statte, far from the usual tourist circuits, where devotion intertwines with square festivities in one of the most genuine expressions of Apulian culture.