St. Urban

Saint Urban

Saint Urban I, also known as the famous “Saint of Wine”, is one of the most venerated saints in the wine-producing regions of South Tyrol, Austria and Germany.

He was the 17th Pope of the Catholic Church, and his pontificate lasted from 222 to 230 A.D..

Historical information about his life is limited, and ancient sources often contradict one another.

It is however certain that Saint Urban was originally from Rome.

According to Christian tradition, he suffered martyrdom during the persecutions against Christians, and his relics are now preserved in a Roman catacomb.

Saint Urban is especially known as the protector of wine and winegrowers.

Tradition tells that he ordered the chalice and the paten used during the Eucharistic celebration to be made exclusively of gold or silver.

This connection with the liturgical chalice contributed to making him symbolically linked to the culture of wine.

Another reason for his popularity among winegrowers is connected to the date of his feast, celebrated on May 25.

At this time of year, the vines begin to blossom, a decisive phase for the future quality of the wine and the abundance of the harvest.

For this reason, farmers and wine producers invoke Saint Urban to protect the vineyards and grant a good harvest.

Over the centuries, many popular sayings dedicated to the saint were created, such as:

“If Saint Urban’s day is sunny, there will be plenty of fine wine.”

Even today, in some South Tyrolean villages such as Lana and Lagundo, Saint Urban’s feast day is celebrated with religious processions, blessings of wine barrels and banners depicting the saint.

His figure remains deeply connected to the agricultural traditions and wine culture of Central Europe.

Iconography: Saint Urban is depicted in papal vestments with a pastoral staff, tiara, book, vineyard, bunch of grapes or sword.

Feast day: May 25.

Patronage: Of Maastricht, Troyes, Toledo, Valencia, winegrowers, coopers, vineyards and invoked against frost, storms, lightning, tempests and drunkenness.