The festival of San Paolino, a patron of the city, is celebrated with especial solemnity at the Basilica Minore dei Santi Paolino e Donato. This is the destination of a candlelight vigil, which departs from the church porch of the Basilica di San Michele and arrives at the church, whereupon the motet of the festival is sung. The following day, a public holiday for the whole city, the celebrations begin at noon with a representation of the Miracle of San Paolino, which involves a deafening round of heavy artillery fired (with blank ammunition) from the Baluardo San Donato. Pontifical High Mass is celebrated by the Archbishop of Lucca in the Basilica at 6pm; after this, representatives of the districts of the historic centre begin to process towards Piazza San Martino, where the Palio della Balestra begins at 8pm. The diary of these religious events and related spectacles in honour of the patron saint is organised by the Municipality of Lucca and is known as 'The days of San Paolino'.

Source: Belli Barsali I., Guida di Lucca, Maria Pacini Fazzi Editore, Lucca, 1970.