Solemnity of Saint Blaise
The patronal feast of Ruvo di Puglia in honor of the protector of the throat
About Saint Blaise in Ruvo
A patronal feast in the heart of Puglia
The Solemnity of Saint Blaise is the main religious festival of Ruvo di Puglia, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari, in the heart of Puglia. Dedicated to the bishop and martyr of Sebaste, patron saint of the city and co-patron of the Diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi, the celebration spans about two weeks, from late January to early February, culminating on February 3rd, the liturgical day of the Saint.
The origins of the cult
Saint Blaise has been the patron saint of Ruvo di Puglia since the 16th century, but the bond with the community was indelibly strengthened in 1857, when, during a severe epidemic affecting children's throats, the display of the Saint's relic was associated with the disappearance of the disease. Since then, Saint Blaise has been venerated as the protector of the city and patron of the throat. The local relic, a fragment of the arm kept in a silver reliquary shaped like an arm with a blessing hand, is preserved in the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a splendid example of Apulian Romanesque architecture.
Popular devotion
The festival combines liturgical rigor with the popular participation that characterizes Southern Italian traditions. The faithful bring frecedduzze for blessing—small devotional breads modeled in the shapes of the mitre, the crozier, the ring, the blessing hand, and feet. A key element of identity is the group of Saint Blaise Bearers, who accompany the statue through the streets of the historic center.
The program of the solemnity
- Novena: starting January 25th, with the lighting of artistic illuminations and the enthronement of the statue in the Co-Cathedral, followed by nine days of Holy Masses and evening celebrations animated in turn by the city's parishes;
- Symphonic concert: an appointment with classical music, featuring the Symphony Orchestra of the Metropolitan City of Bari;
- February 3rd: Holy Masses from dawn, itinerant performances by brass bands in the historic center, and the Pontifical Mass presided over by the Bishop;
- Procession: in the late afternoon, the statue of Saint Blaise crosses the city, accompanied by the traditional release of devotional hot-air balloons;
- Pyromusical show: in the evening, in Piazza Matteotti, fireworks conclude the main day.
An identity-defining event
Organized by the Patronal Feast Committee in collaboration with the Municipal Administration and the Pro Loco, the Solemnity of Saint Blaise is much more than a religious recurrence: it is the moment when the entire community of Ruvo di Puglia gathers around its roots, amidst faith, music, illuminations, and traditions passed down for generations.
Saint Blaise in Ruvo — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The festivities took place from January 25th to February 8th, 2026. The novena began on Sunday, January 25th at 5:00 PM with the lighting of the artistic illuminations, followed at 5:45 PM by the enthronement of the statue in the Co-Cathedral and at 6:30 PM by the Holy Mass. Over the following nine days, celebrations by the city's parishes alternated.
Among the highlights, on January 30th, the concert by the Symphony Orchestra of the Metropolitan City of Bari, conducted by Maestro Marco Grasso. On February 3rd, the Saint's day, Holy Masses were held from dawn, alongside the itinerant performance of the local "Small Stretch Band" and the Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Domenico Cornacchia. At 6:30 PM, the release of the devotional hot-air balloon and the procession of the statue through the city streets took place; at 8:30 PM, in Piazza Matteotti, the pyromusical show. The festivities concluded on February 8th with a thanksgiving Holy Mass in the presence of the Feast Committee and the Saint Blaise Bearers.
Programme Saint Blaise in Ruvo 2026
2026 Program
- January 25: 5:00 PM lighting of artistic illuminations; 5:45 PM enthronement of the statue in the Co-Cathedral; 6:30 PM Holy Mass and start of the novena.
- January 25 - February 2: Daily Holy Mass at 9:00 AM; 6:00 PM Holy Rosary, Novena, and Eucharistic Celebration animated by city parishes.
- January 30: 8:00 PM concert by the Symphony Orchestra of the Metropolitan City of Bari, conductor Maestro Marco Grasso.
- February 2: 6:00 PM Solemn Vespers and blessing of the candles.
- February 3: Holy Masses at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 AM, 4:00 and 5:00 PM; 9:00 AM itinerant performance of the "Small Stretch Band" in the historic center; 11:00 AM Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Domenico Cornacchia; 6:30 PM release of the devotional hot-air balloon and procession of the statue; 8:30 PM pyromusical show in Piazza Matteotti.
- February 8: 6:30 PM thanksgiving Holy Mass with the Feast Committee and the Saint Blaise Bearers.
Highlights Saint Blaise in Ruvo 2026
- Concert by the Symphony Orchestra of the Metropolitan City of Bari (January 30)
- Pontifical Mass by Bishop Domenico Cornacchia (February 3)
- Release of devotional hot-air balloons and procession of the statue
- Pyromusical show in Piazza Matteotti
Prices Saint Blaise in Ruvo 2026
Practical information — Saint Blaise in Ruvo
How to get there
Ruvo di Puglia is located in the hinterland of the Metropolitan City of Bari, along the Murgia. By car, it can be reached via the SS96 and SP231 (formerly SS98). By train, it is served by the Ferrotramviaria Bari-Barletta line, with a station a short distance from the historic center. The nearest airport is the Karol Wojtyła Airport in Bari-Palese, about 35 km away.
Where it takes place
Liturgical celebrations are held in the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta; the procession, bands, and pyromusical show animate the historic center and Piazza Matteotti.
Admission
Participation in the festivities is free and open to all.
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Where does it take place — Saint Blaise in Ruvo
Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e centro storico