The patron saint of the Diocese of Ugento-Santa Maria di Leuca is St Vincent of Saragossa, whose feast is celebrated on the 21st and 22nd of January. The celebrations in honor of the Saint begin with the arrival of a young local, riding a horse, who represents San Vincenzo. At 18:30 on the 21st of January, the rider leaves from the Seminary and reaches the Cathedral where a crowd of faithful awaits him. The date of January 22, commemorates the martyrdom of the Saint in 304, when his body floated to the riverside, although it was tied to a large boulder and thrown into the river; this narrate the Sacred Readings that precede the procession which go across the streets of the historic center during the day of January 22, preceded by a statue of the saint, a half-length Leccese papier mâché, dating back to 1941 circa.   The program of civil celebrations in honor of Saint Vincent also provides a market set up along the narrow streets of the historic center, band concerts, musicals and the fireworks show at the end of the festival.