Feast of San Gennaro in May 2027: the procession from the Cathedral to Santa Chiara

The May feast

Three times a year Naples waits for the blood of San Gennaro, kept in two vials in the Chapel of the Treasure inside the Cathedral, to turn liquid again: on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, on 19 September and on 16 December. The May date is different from the others because the miracle is not only awaited in the cathedral: the relics are carried in procession through the streets of the old town.

The feast commemorates the translation of the relics of the saint in the 5th century: according to the chronicles, from the Agro Marciano cemetery to the catacombs of Capodimonte, which are named after him. Other sources describe it instead as the transfer of the relics from Pozzuoli, where the saint was martyred, to Naples.

How the day unfolds

In recent years the day has followed this pattern:

• in the afternoon the silver bust of San Gennaro and the vials leave the Cathedral;
• the procession of the "Treasures of San Gennaro" crosses the historic centre: behind the saint's bust come the silver busts of the city's co-patron saints (18 in 2025 and 2026), carried by members of the Deputation of the Royal Chapel of the Treasure;
• on arrival at the Basilica of Santa Chiara Mass is celebrated and, when the blood liquefies, the news is announced by waving a white handkerchief.

In 2025 the miracle was announced at 18:09 in Santa Chiara; in 2026 shortly after 17:00. The procession is also called the procession of the "infrascati", because in the past clergy and devotees decorated their heads with wreaths of flowers and branches.

The 2027 programme with times will be published by the Archdiocese of Naples in the days before. In bad weather the procession can be cancelled, as happened in 2019.

Tip: 1 May 2027 is also Labour Day, a public holiday in Italy: expect crowds in the historic centre. To see the procession, pick a spot along the route and arrive well in advance; for the announcement, the square in front of Santa Chiara fills up early.

Getting there and around

• The Cathedral is on via Duomo, a few minutes' walk from the Duomo stop on Line 1 of the metro.
• Santa Chiara is next to piazza del Gesù Nuovo, at the start of Spaccanapoli: the nearest stop is Dante (Line 1).
• In the afternoon the City usually closes the streets along the route to traffic: get around on foot.

What to see on the day

• The Cathedral and the Treasure of San Gennaro Museum, with the jewels donated to the saint.
• The Catacombs of San Gennaro in Capodimonte, where the relics were taken in the 5th century.
• In the same period there is also the Maggio dei Monumenti, with tours and special openings all over the city.

Near the procession route

• Cathedral and Treasure of San Gennarowhere the procession starts
• Spaccanapolistarts from piazza del Gesù, next to Santa Chiara
• Catacombs of San Gennarowhere the relics were taken
• Miracle of 16 Decemberthe other date of the miracle

Frequently asked questions