Every year on the 13th of January the patron saint Sant’Ilario is celebrated in Parma.
Born in Poitiers from one of the most illustrious families in France at the beginning of the fifth century, theologian and philosopher, he became Bishop of Poitiers. He found himself on foot near Parma during a long journey back from Turkey after being sent into exile.
According to legend, Ilario found himself walking through the streets of Parma with his shoes worn from the long walk.
A shoemaker seeing him in those conditions had compassion for him and gave him a new pair of shoes.
The next day the shoemaker, surprised, found Ilario’s old worn shoes completely transformed into gold.
To remember the miraculous event every year we celebrate the customary feast dedicated to St. Hilary, with celebrations that recall ancient public and solemn traditions and other gastronomic, such as the “shoe of St. Hilary”, a biscuit shaped like a shoe, a typical cake of Parma that is easily found in pastry shops and bars in the days leading up to the anniversary date.