The Befana Is Back

The Befana returns to Civitella San Paolo

In the small village of Civitella San Paolo, in the province of Rome, in the heart of the Lazio Sabina region, the Epiphany is one of the most anticipated days of winter. With the "The Befana Is Back" initiative, the town brings the Christmas season to a festive close, treating children to a morning of smiles, sweets, and tradition. The event takes place every January 6th, when the friendly old lady symbolically descends from the sky to fill the stockings of the little ones.

Stockings for children in the Medieval Castle

The heart of the event is the free distribution of stockings to children aged 3 to 10. The delivery takes place in the historic setting of the former Guardhouse of the Medieval Castle, one of the most characteristic corners of the village, which comes alive for the occasion with families, grandparents, and grandchildren in a spirit of shared joy. It is a moment designed for the community, uniting different generations around a simple and affectionate gesture.

A festival promoted by the community

The initiative is organized by the Civitella Musica 2001 Cultural Association, an active force in the town's cultural life, in collaboration with the Municipality of Civitella San Paolo and the local Pro Loco. The association also enlivens the festivities with other proposals related to the Epiphany period, helping to keep traditions alive and enhance the village's historic spaces.

The tradition of the Befana in Italy

The figure of the Befana is rooted in Italian popular folklore: according to legend, on the night between January 5th and 6th, the old lady flies on her broomstick to bring sweets and coal to children. In a town like Civitella San Paolo, where the social fabric is still strongly tied to shared customs, the Epiphany becomes an occasion for gathering and collective identity, capable of renewing the bond between the town and its families year after year.

A village to discover in Lazio

Located among the hills of the lower Sabina, in the Lazio Region, Civitella San Paolo preserves a small but fascinating historical heritage, dominated by its castle. Participating in "The Befana Is Back" is also a way to discover an authentic village, far from the major tourist flows, and to experience the genuine atmosphere of Lazio's town festivals.