Sant'Eufemia Patronal Feast (with the Gara delle Mazze)

The patronal feast of Carinaro

The Sant'Eufemia Patronal Feast is the most important and deeply felt event in the municipality of Carinaro, a small town in the Aversa area of the Caserta province, in the heart of Campania. Dedicated to the 3rd-century martyr venerated as the city's patron saint, the festival has for generations united religious and civil life into one great community event. The liturgical recurrence falls on September 16th, but the festivities are spread over several days, alternating sacred rites, processions, public performances, and moments of conviviality.

The Gara delle Mazze

The heart of the festival is the famous Gara delle Mazze, a genuine popular auction where the highest bidder wins the "mazze" (maces) of Sant'Eufemia, which grants the right to carry the saint's statue on their shoulders along the route from the square to the parish church. It is a participatory ritual charged with emotion, rooted in the Carinaro community since the late 19th century. In 2019, by decree of the Campania Region, the "Mazze di Sant'Eufemia" were officially inscribed in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Campania (IPIC), a recognition that certifies its anthropological value and its role as a guardian of local identity.

The procession and religious rites

The most solemn moment is the procession of the statue of the saint through the town center, accompanied by the faithful, confraternities, and the brass band. Solemn masses and rites are celebrated in the Church of Sant'Eufemia, marking the festival days and drawing back to town emigrants and families originally from Carinaro.

Music, shows, and fireworks

Alongside the devotional aspect, the civil program enlivens the town squares, particularly Piazza Trieste, with concerts by local and national artists, entertainment shows, folk music, and activities dedicated to families and children. Past editions have hosted well-known names from the Campania music scene. There is no shortage of food stalls featuring local specialties and public engagement. The grand finale is entrusted to the fireworks display, which illuminates the sky over Carinaro, closing the festival in a blaze of color.

A heritage to be experienced

Participating in the Sant'Eufemia Feast means immersing yourself in an authentic tradition of the Caserta hinterland, where faith, historical memory, and community life intertwine. An event that every September restores to Carinaro its most welcoming and authentic identity.