Chiesa di San Rocco di Vallata

The Church of San Rocco (Saint Roch) in Vallata stands on the square of the same name, at the intersection of Via Levante and Via San Vito, in the historic centre of the town.

Its construction dates back to the 17th century, while the last restoration dates back to 1930. The religious building reflects the strong cult of the local population towards Saint Roch of Montpellier, which had grown stronger since 1656, the year of the serious plague epidemic that claimed more than 1,000 lives in the Vallata community. The erection of the Church is therefore linked to the fame of the French saint as the patron saint of the sick. The cult was taken up by the inhabitants of Vallata during the subsequent plague of 1764, which led the parish to enlarge the structure. 

Today, the Church is distinguished by its single-nave structure, built in stone with a pre-stressed barrel ceiling. Inside, there is a fresco depicting Saint Roch, to whom the altar at the end of the presbytery is also dedicated. There are also statues of Saint Roch, Saint Lawrence and Saint Emidio. Other noteworthy features include two holy water stoups and a very old pipe organ, used until the 1960s.

Even today, the patron saint of the sick is celebrated every year on 16 August in front of the church of the same name: his statue is first placed in the square in front of the Church and then carried in a procession through the streets of the town, with the participation of all the worshippers.