Sant'Alessandro Festival

A re-enactment spanning three thousand years of history

The Sant'Alessandro Festival is the defining event of the summer in the Municipality of Ischia, located in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania. Every year on August 26th, the feast day of the saint, the small village bearing his name becomes the heart of a grand historical costume pageant: a procession of over four hundred participants traverses the center of the island, retracing the centuries of Ischian history, scene by scene, from the first Magna Graecia colony to the late 19th century.

From the Aragonese Castle to the Village of Sant'Alessandro

The parade begins in the late afternoon from Piazzale delle Alghe, at the foot of the Aragonese Castle in Ischia Ponte, and follows the town's main thoroughfares: via Luigi Mazzella, via Sogliuzzo, corso Vittoria Colonna, via Roma, and via Iasolino, finally reaching the Village of Sant'Alessandro with its small white church. These four kilometers of seaside roads transform into a natural stage at sunset—perhaps the most beautiful way to discover the ancient face of Ischia, far from the beaches and thermal spas.

The eras and characters of the procession

The procession is arranged in strict chronological order, functioning like an open-air history book. Highlights along the route include:

• The Greek colonists of Pithecusa, who founded the first Greek colony in the West here in the 8th century BC;
• The Roman era and the centuries of medieval, Norman, and Swabian rule;
• The Renaissance, featuring the Aragonese court, the d'Avalos family, and the figure of Vittoria Colonna, the poet who lived at the Castle;
• The Bourbon period, up to Ferdinand II of Bourbon and the court of the Kingdom of Naples;
• Traditional island trades: farmers, fishermen, and basket makers, showcased with authentic tools and gestures.

The costumes are not mere disguises; they are crafted with fine fabrics and meticulous details, the result of over forty years of research by the families of the village.

Drummers, flag-wavers, and guest groups

Alongside the local participants, historical groups from across the peninsula join the parade, enriching the event with drummers, flag-wavers, and public performances. Recent editions have featured the historical group from Marino—linked to Ischia by a thirty-year twinning in honor of Vittoria Colonna—the Imperiales Federici II of Foggia, the Centro Studi Nundinae of Gravina di Puglia representing the Norman and Swabian eras, the folk group from Ortisei in Val Gardena, the flag-wavers of Cava de' Tirreni, the Pistonieri Monte Castello, the Artis falconers, and the Knights of the White Parchment.

A festival born in 1981 around a chapel

The event began in 1981 when a small group of enthusiasts marched in period dress to support the restoration of the chapel of Sant'Alessandro. From that act of volunteerism grew one of the most popular re-enactments in Campania, now organized by the Pro Sant'Alessandro Cultural Association with the support of the Municipality of Ischia. In 2025, the 41st edition was celebrated, marking over four decades of uninterrupted tradition.

Faith, folklore, and Ischian flavors

The religious dimension remains the common thread: after the parade, a mass is celebrated in the village church, and the festivities continue late into the night with music, performances, and food stalls. It is the perfect opportunity to sample island specialties, from rabbit 'all'ischitana' to traditional desserts, in a village-fair atmosphere that brings together residents and visitors alike. Admission is free, and no tickets are required: simply find a spot along the route to watch the procession pass by.

When to arrive and what to expect

August 26th has been a fixed date for over forty years, and the preceding week typically features evening events including book presentations, concerts, and performances by guest groups. Those wishing to follow the procession from the start should reach Ischia Ponte well in advance: Piazzale delle Alghe and the Castle waterfront are the most crowded areas, but also the most picturesque for photography.