On Monday, July 14, 2025, the celebrations in honor of San Vitaliano, patron saint of the city of Catanzaro, will officially begin.
Download the program, traffic changes, and shuttle services to reach the historic center: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dPcmxAWgtYpdP4ARA
“An anniversary of deep identity value that, after years in which the bond with the saint had weakened – also due to the growing popularity of neighborhood patronal festivals – now returns to the center of city life thanks to the commitment of the Municipal Administration.” This is what the Councillor for Economic Activities, Giuliana Furrer, states.
“From the very first year of the legislature, in fact, the goal was clear: to restore to the figure of San Vitaliano the central role he deserves, not only as a spiritual reference but also as a powerful engine of social cohesion and tourism promotion. The 2025 edition of the festival thus presents itself with a renewed program, which skillfully intertwines the sacred rite and popular tradition, to offer the city three intense days (from July 14 to 16) of events, meetings, music, culture, and flavors,” she further explains.
Making the festival even more evocative is a passionate recovery of the historical memory and legends surrounding the figure of the Saint. San Vitaliano was the 25th bishop of Capua, and according to tradition is considered the founder of the Sanctuary of Montevergine. His relics, according to tradition, were transferred from Montevergine to Benevento and finally to Catanzaro in 1122, by the will of Pope Callistus II. Today they rest in the city Cathedral, and on July 16 – the date that coincides with that transfer – his memory is celebrated every year.
Numerous legends are linked to the cult of San Vitaliano: it is said that he gave the city the breeze that refreshes it – the libeccio, the ponente, and sometimes even the tramontana – to meet the wishes of his brother, intolerant of the sultry heat, who did not want to visit him. Another legend sees him arriving in Calabria from France together with six brothers, all saints, among whom – according to some – even San Gennaro.
Also emblematic is the anecdote linked to the brigand Panedigrano, who at the beginning of the nineteenth century appeared with two thousand men at the gates of Catanzaro to sack it. He was not stopped by an army, but – according to legend – by the miraculous hand of San Vitaliano who, appearing to him, grabbed him by the ponytail pulling him back, thus convincing him to desist.
And it is precisely this intertwining of faith, history, and popular culture that the festival of San Vitaliano intends to restore and celebrate, with events spread throughout the historic center, from July 14 to 16 starting at 6 pm: exhibitions, workshops, musical performances, guided tours, street food and – the great novelty of this year – an identity food and wine trail promoted by local businesses, with dishes and drinks inspired by the figure of the Saint and local culinary tradition.
“Returning to the program that starts on Monday– Furrer further emphasizes -. With a proper mix between sacred rite and popular tradition, the 2025 edition includes three days full of events dedicated to the history and memory of the saint, to culture, traditions, food, and fun. Starting at 6 pm, the entire historic center will come alive with activities: it will be possible to visit two exhibitions, one dedicated to sacred collecting at the ex-stac and one of great cultural importance at the “Velluto e Vitaliano” historical archive with important documentary evidence related to the art of silk; learn the steps of our traditional dances and try musical instruments thanks to workshops organized by the Linea Jonica association; browse and shop among the stalls of artisans and hobbyists; have fun in Villa Margherita with the games of Joka Calabria;
Take guided tours of the main points of interest, the Churches, the Politeama theater, organized by Artemide. Everything will be completed and enlivened by “taste,” thanks to the “International Street Food” festival which returns with its delicious offerings from around the world after last year’s success, organized by AIRS of Confartigianato Imprese.
The big news this year is the identity food and wine trail organized by the city’s businesses: dishes and drinks from our tradition or new creations dedicated to the Saint will enrich the festival route. Small areas of musical entertainment are planned, including DJ sets in via Educandato organized by the young people of “Quarantotto e Outsider.” On the 14th and 15th, at 9:30 pm in Piazza Prefettura, the concerts: dedicated to popular music, in an atmosphere of contamination between cultures and traditions, Monday opens with the “Trillanti” who come to visit us from Ciociaria and will play together with the musicians of Felici e Conflenti, bringing color, joy, and involving the public in dances. On the 15th, Cosimo Papandrea needs no introduction, stopping with his “Stilla Chijara” tour. The final day is rightly dedicated to the Saint: we invite everyone to the traditional Procession which will begin at 6:00 pm.
To conclude, in Piazza Prefettura, the comedy by Nino Gemelli, organized by Francesco Passafaro “Ricordi d’a ruga”.
“It is an event that can grow more and more – emphasized the Councillor for Economic Activities – and with these premises become a strong tourist-cultural attraction.
A Regional Capital city must offer citizens and visitors a wide range of events, ranging from the most experimental to the most popular, reworked, in form and content, in a new and more attractive sense, as also demonstrated by the new graphic design of the San Vitaliano festival. This is one of the elements of the strategy and the precise territorial marketing work we are putting in place. For this reason,
this year’s result is the fruit of great teamwork that involved me, the Councillor for Culture, Donatella Monteverdi, the Councillor for Tourism, Vincenzo Costantino, and all the participating organizations, starting with the Pro Loco. Special thanks go to Valentina Murace, who coordinated the activities, to our joint manager Benedetta De Vita, to all the local associations, to the young people and, on my part, especially to the entrepreneurs and businesses who enthusiastically joined the proposal for the identity gastronomy trail. For me, it is a source of great pride and satisfaction: an experience that marks the beginning of a healthy and virtuous collaboration between public and private.”