Festivity of St. Pelagius

This largest local event celebrates the Day of the City of Novigrad-Cittanovo and its patron saint. Over the course of three days, the city will come alive with a host of concerts, traditional folk dances, sports events, and a rich wine and food offering along Mandrač and Porporela.

Josipa Lisac, Gustafi, Perpetuum Jazzile, Connect and numerous other performers will be performing on two stages in the city center, and the last evening will traditionally be marked by midnight fireworks at sea.

The organizers of the event are the Tourist Board and the City of Novigrad-Cittanova. 

There are two versions of the legend that connects Novigrad and Saint Pelagius. It is known that in the 12th century, Novigrad was referred to as Emona (Emonia, Aemonia) as well as an ancient city in the area of present-day Ljubljana, because, according to legend, it was settled and founded by the exiled inhabitants of that city. In Emona lived a rich and pious couple who had an only son, Pelagio, whom they sent to the priest Urani for training. Pelagius became an orphan at an early age and the priest took over his upbringing. As he stood out more and more for his nobility and the spread of Christianity, he distributed his inheritance to freed servants. During the persecution of Christians during the reign of Emperor Numerian (283-284 AD), Pelagius was severely tortured, his head was cut off and he was secretly buried. During the barbarian raids, the population of Emona moved around Italy and Istria, so they also reached Novigrad. One of the refugees from Emona brought the powers of St. Pelagius to a small island near the mouth of the Mirna River.

Another version of the legend, according to the writings of Bishop Tommasini from the 17th century (not based on reliable sources), says that Pelagia's parents lived in Novigrad and were rich. As in the first version of the legend, Pelagius was sent to be trained by the priest Urani, his parents died early, the priest took over his upbringing and stood out for his nobility and the spread of Christianity. In 284, during the reign of Emperor Numerian, Evilarius was appointed Roman Perfect of Istria, who moved to Novigrad. Then the great persecution of Christians began. One night, Pelagius heard a voice from heaven that encouraged him to martyrdom. He went to the perfect Evilari to apologize for his cruelty and polytheism. Then he revealed himself as a Christian and was thrown in chains and condemned to be whipped until the executioners were tired. Since the flogging did not leave a mark on him, it was prescribed to pour hot oil on his body. As he again had no consequences, they tied him to two horses and dragged him along the glass, again without consequences. In the end, he was sentenced to death by beheading, which was carried out outside the walls of Novigrad.