Solemn Celebrations in Honor of Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Vitus the Martyr (with the Procession of the Panelle)

Three days of devotion in the heart of Irpinia

From June 13th to 15th, the municipality of Vallata—a mountain village nestled at 870 meters above sea level in the province of Avellino, Campania—unites for its Solemn Celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Vitus the Martyr. It is one of the most cherished traditions in the local calendar: three days blending religious rites and secular festivities, including processions, a fair, live music, and evening performances around the chapel of Saint Vitus.

The festival stems from the merging of two distinct devotions. The cult of Saint Anthony of Padua is ancient in Vallata, though he never had his own church; a chapel was dedicated to him inside the Mother Church. Until 1995, the secular celebrations for Saint Anthony took place in Piazza Tiglio. Since then, the committee has combined June 13th, the eve of Saint Vitus, and June 15th into a single three-day event centered around the chapel of Saint Vitus.

The Procession of the Panelle: a ritual of identity

On June 14th, the eve of the feast, the Procession of the Panelle takes place—the moment that best defines the community's identity. The panelle are small, homemade unleavened breads placed in baskets decorated with roses and broom flowers. It is primarily children and teenagers who carry them through the village streets to the chapel of Saint Vitus.

Once at the chapel, the breads are blessed and distributed to the residents. A portion is traditionally set aside for animals, as Saint Vitus is invoked as their protector. The blessing is accompanied by the custom of the three laps around the chapel performed by the faithful, a ritual gesture that local scholars link to ancient folk religiosity, possibly predating the Christianization of these lands.

June 15th: the procession with the statue of Saint Vitus

June 15th, the day of the martyrdom, marks the climax of the festival. In the afternoon, the statue of Saint Vitus the Martyr is carried in a procession through the streets, accompanied by a brass band and the entire community, including those who have returned from abroad specifically for the occasion. The evening concludes with a final concert and traditional secular festivities.

The history of the chapel of Saint Vitus

The cult surrounding the chapel has been documented for centuries: a fair dating back to 1537 suggests the presence of a small sacred building on the site. Inscriptions reveal the church's growth over time—1777 at the base of the high altar, 1793 for the side altars, 1816 on a window, and restorations in 1874 and 1927. The 18th century was the period of greatest expansion for the cult, which is when the name "Vito" became common in local records. Recently, Professor Lucia Arminio and her students enriched the chapel with three frescoes: the Dead Christ, the Transfiguration, and the martyrdom of Saint Vitus.

The secular festival: fair, band, and concerts

Alongside the religious events, there is a rich secular program organized by the Saint Anthony and Saint Vitus Martyr Festival Committee, active in its current form since 1988. The organization relies on volunteers and door-to-door fundraising, with significant historical contributions from the Vallatese diaspora, particularly in the United States.

• Fair opening on June 14th, with stalls lining the town center streets
• Brass band accompanying the processions and performing in the square
• Evening shows and concerts featuring Italian pop music guests
• Fireworks and a lottery draw to close the festivities

Vallata, a village in the Irpinia highlands

Vallata is located in the Apennines, between the Ufita Valley and the Daunia Mountains, bordering Bisaccia, Carife, Guardia Lombardi, Scampitella, and Trevico. It is a town of just under three thousand inhabitants, known in the local Irpinian dialect as Vaddàta, and belongs to the Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia. The official patron saint of the town is Saint Bartholomew, celebrated on August 24th, but the June festival remains the one that draws the largest crowds and best reflects the popular religiosity of this part of Campania.

Why it's worth the trip

Visitors arriving in Vallata in mid-June will find a festival untouched by mass tourism: the panelle are still kneaded at home, and the three laps around the chapel are performed in silence. Add to this the crisp air at 870 meters, authentic Irpinian cuisine, and a historic center beautifully illuminated for the occasion.