"U Territoriu," the procession of St. Andrew Avellino

On May 12, but only once every 3 years, an entire town gathers in a grand procession to celebrate the patron saint of Monasterace, St. Andrew Avellino.

The Saint leaves the Chiesa Matrice in Monasterace Superiore early in the morning, carried on the shoulders amid prayers and chants. He makes a very long tour passing through all the districts to the sea. It stops at the Church of St. Joseph the Worker in Monasterace Marina and then returns.

It is a like a river the procession that winds through the Valley: the walk goes on all day long and for 20 kilometers. Everyone is there, faithful and not: the band, the carabinieri, local authorities, the old, the young. Many return from far and wide precisely to participate in this great event, which reinforces the sense of belonging to the community, the link with one's roots.

In the evening, the wooden bust returns to the Chiesa Matrice and the sky lights up with fireworks.