Feast of Santa Croce in Castellare | Vicopisano

The Feast of Santa Croce in Castellare is back in the village of San Giovanni alla Vena, near Vicopisano. From the main road, you can see the little church on the hill, lit up by volunteers, whilst in Piazza della Repubblica travelling shows have been entertaining children and young people for days as they await the highlight of the festivities – the fireworks display – on the evening of 3rd May.

The festival, deeply cherished by the village, begins on 1st May with Mass in the parish church at 10:00 and the Rosary in front of the Grotta della Madonna in Castellare at 16:00.

It continues on 2nd May with the commemoration of the discovery of the Holy Cross of Christ in Jerusalem. In the evening the procession begins, passing through Via della Chiesa, Via Vittorio Veneto, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Garibaldi and Via Diaz. Upon returning to the church, there is a torchlight procession to the Chiesino del Castellare, followed by the customary fireworks display

Sunday 3rd May, Feast of the Holy Cross in Castellare: 9.30 am, Mass in Castellare; 11.00 am, Solemn Mass in the Parish Church; 5.00 pm, Recitation of Vespers in Castellare; and 6.00 pm, Mass in the Parish Church