Solemn Celebrations in Honor of Saint Anthony of Padua – Patron Saint

The patronal feast of Ceglie Messapica

The Solemn Celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua are the most anticipated event of the year in Ceglie Messapica, a town in the Itria Valley in the province of Brindisi. Saint Anthony of Padua is the city's patron saint, and his liturgical feast falls on June 13th. Around this date, the Municipality, the Collegiate Church Parish, and the Festival Committee organize three days that blend devotion, rural tradition, and popular entertainment.

Preparation: The Tredicina and Triduo

The journey toward the feast begins well in advance. From June 1st, every evening, the solemn Tredicina is celebrated in the historic Mother Church, with the Eucharist presided over by a different priest each day and brief reflections on the figure of the Saint. In the final days, preparation intensifies with the Triduo, which guides the Ceglie community to the eve of the liturgical feast.

The tradition of the Manucchi di Grano

One of the most iconic and evocative moments is the parade of the Manucchi di Grano carts—traditional bundles of wheat ears carried on horse-drawn carts and donated by local farms. This ritual is rooted in the rural culture of Puglia and still marks the beginning of the civil festivities today. On the same evening, the Giglio di Sant'Antonio award is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves through hard work and social commitment, and the artistic illuminations are lit, brightening up Piazza Sant'Antonio and the historic center.

The procession and religious rites

The religious heart of the festival is the day of the patron saint, featuring the solemn pontifical Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Oria and the long procession that winds through the main streets of the village, accompanied by the town band. A particularly moving moment is the handing over of the city keys to the Patron Saint by the Mayor in Piazza Plebiscito, a symbolic gesture that renews the bond between Ceglie and its protector every year.

Music, concerts, and fireworks

Alongside the religious dimension, there is plenty of civil celebration: Piazza Plebiscito becomes the stage for evening concerts, ranging from Salento's traditional 'pizzica' to performances by guest musical groups, while the patron saint's night concludes with a grand fireworks display. Between the sacred and the profane, the feast of Saint Anthony remains one of the most attended events in the province of Brindisi and a perfect opportunity to discover Ceglie Messapica, a white-washed village in the Itria Valley known for its historic center and gastronomic traditions.