Solemn Celebrations in Honor of Saint Roch – Co-Patron Saint

Saint Roch, co-patron saint of Ceglie Messapica

Every year, in the heart of summer, Ceglie Messapica celebrates Saint Roch, the city's co-patron saint and one of the most beloved figures in Apulian popular devotion. A pilgrim from Montpellier venerated throughout Europe as a protector against the plague and epidemics, Saint Roch gives his name to the largest parish in the town, the spiritual heart of the festivities held around his liturgical feast day on August 16th, in the province of Brindisi, Puglia.

A festival between faith and tradition

The Solemn Celebrations in Honor of Saint Roch intertwine religious and civic dimensions over two intense days in mid-August. The Ceglie community gathers in the squares and along the streets of the historic center to renew an ancient bond of faith, passed down from generation to generation, which unites prayer with the local festival spirit.

The religious program

The path of preparation begins with the novena, nine days of Eucharistic adoration and Holy Masses that guide the faithful toward the solemnity. On the day of Saint Roch, celebrations continue from morning until evening, culminating in the solemn Eucharistic concelebration presided over by the Bishop of Oria, followed by the procession with the saint's statue.

• Novena with adoration and Holy Mass in the Church of Saint Roch
• Festive Masses on the day of the solemnity
• Blessing of domestic animals on the church square
• Episcopal concelebration and solemn procession

The Murgese horses and the procession

One of the most characteristic elements of the Ceglie festival is the procession escorted by adorned Murgese horses, the impressive black horses native to the Murgia region, accompanied by riders linked to the tradition of the cavalcade of Saint Oronzo in Ostuni. The pageant, which travels through the festively decorated streets, is a spectacle of color and devotion that attracts both residents and visitors.

Brass music and fireworks

In the evening, Piazza Plebiscito becomes the stage for traditional brass band concerts, with renowned bands performing the great repertoire of Apulian street music under the festive lights. The festivities conclude at midnight with a pyrotechnic display that illuminates the sky over Ceglie, while the historic center remains lively with exhibitions, social gatherings, and popular events.

Ceglie Messapica and the Itria Valley

Situated among the olive groves and trulli of the Itria Valley, in the province of Brindisi, Ceglie Messapica is one of the oldest cities in Puglia, also famous for its gastronomic tradition. The Saint Roch festival is the ideal opportunity to discover its historic center, its narrow alleys, and the warm hospitality of the town, all immersed in the authentic atmosphere of a patronal feast in northern Salento.