The Praiano Luminaria of Saint Domenico

Every year, in Praiano, from August 1st to August 4th at the Convento di Santa Maria a Castro, the Praiano Luminaria of Saint Domenico Praiano event has been taking place for more than 400 years.

Faith, culture and folklore pervade this event, which is very evocative thanks to the thousands of torches and candles illuminating every corner of the village. 

The Convento di Santa Maria a Castro in Praiano is a monastery dedicated to the cult of Saint Domenico since 1606.

The origin of this cult can be traced back to the event that predated the saint’s birth.

In fact, shortly before giving birth, the saint’s mother had a dream about a dog setting the world on fire with a torch in his mouth, meaning that her baby would have spread the Lord’s message everywhere. 

To celebrate Saint Dominic, every year from August 1st to August 4th all the streets, houses, gardens and balconies in Praiano are filled with candles lit for the triduum, the period of three days of prayer to the saint, ending up celebrating Saint Domenic on August 4th. In Piazza San Gennaro, the overlooking the sea square right in front of the monastery, the majolica floor is decorated with 3000 candles that keep on burning for the whole celebration. 

During the Praiano Luminaria of Saint Domenico event it is possible to spectate dances and fire performances that recall the torchlight procession of the saint.

For further information, please visit the luminariadisandomenico.it website. 

If you want to reach Praiano from Salerno, you have to take the 5120 SITA bus that goes to Amalfi and from there take the 5070 bus toward Piano that stops in Praiano.

From Napoli, take the Circumvesuaviana train to Sorrento, then take the 5070 SITA bus to Praiano.