Macerata Campania: Sant’Antuono and Pastellessa

Macerata Campania is closely associated with the feast of Sant’Antuono and the tradition of the Battuglie di Pastellessa. If you want to plan a trip around a specific local tradition, you’ll find a clear date to plan around here: the feast in honour of Saint Anthony the Great is celebrated every year on 17 January and in the days leading up to it. If you’re travelling for the feast, you can use this period as a starting point for your planning; check the dates and programme for the relevant edition before you travel. The Carri di Sant’Antuono parade through the streets of Macerata Campania during the feast.

Sant’Antuono: music, games and festive traditions

The Battuglie di Pastellessa perform on the festival floats. Each Battuglia on the floats consists of at least 50 Bottari. Barrels, vats and sickles are used as percussion instruments; the group is led by a Capobattuglia. In 2022, UNESCO recognised the Battuglie di Pastellessa community as a “Good Safeguarding Practice” as part of Tocatì. The musical tradition is probably connected with fertility rites that mark the beginning of the annual cycle.

Traditional games are also part of Macerata Campania’s intangible cultural heritage and feature in the feast. The traditional game “Palo di sapone”, also known as “albero della cuccagna”, involves reaching for prizes at the top of a pole. At the 2010 edition of the feast, the game “Corsa con le botti” was also reintroduced for the first time. Another traditional feature is the Riffa in the early afternoon: an auction of goods donated by the faithful during the Questua.

Pastellessa and local culture

Since 2012, Macerata Campania has been known as the “Paese della Pastellessa”. The designation recognises the town’s close connection with the Battuglie di Pastellessa tradition and the feast of Sant’Antuono. A dish is also called Past’e’lessa: it consists of pasta with cooked chestnuts and is eaten during the feast. Music, games and food each have their own connection to the festive tradition.

Church and practical information

Another cultural landmark in the town is the Chiesa San Marcello Martire. It is a parish church in Macerata Campania dating from the 16th to 17th century. Its classification as a religious building from this period offers a different perspective on the town from the annual festive tradition: here, the focus is on the history of a specific church building, while there, it is on the links between music, games and local customs.

For getting around by bus, AirCampania’s 02CE route is relevant. It connects Macerata Campania with Caserta, Recale, Capodrise, Marcianise, Portico and Santa Maria Capua Vetere. If you’re planning to use the bus service for your trip, check the timetable in advance, as the route may change.

Discover more destinations: Baia Domizia, San Clemente, Riardo, Gricignano di Aversa, Pontelatone, Briano, Casagiove, Gioia Sannitica.

For the main travel overview: Caserta.