They arrived there after a decision was made to transport them to Rome during the Arab expansion. A storm forced the ship to interrupt its journey near the islet of Santojanni opposite Maratea.

Maratea actually celebrates the Saint in May with a solemn procession from the Basilica to the town. Other cities have their own particular celebration with bread a protagonist.

In Milan, for example, there is the tradition of eating the 'panettone di San Biagio', or rather the last piece, in his honour.

In Salemi in the province of Trapani, Sicily, every 3rd February sees the preparation of the “Cuddureddi" and "Cavadduzzi" di San ‘mBrasi in occasion of the traditional Feast of Bread. The bread is made of dough without yeast which is baked then brought in front of the Church of San Biagio where the statue of the Saint is adorned with laurel leaves.

The “cuddureddi” symbolize the throat while the “cavadduzzi” remember the time when the intervention of the Saint saw the countryside of Salemi liberated from an invasion of locusts which were destroying the crops. For this reason he was elected joint Patron of the city.

Bread is also prepared for the "Cena di San Giuseppe" on the 9th March. In the Norman Castle and along the streets of the city the 'Corteo Storico Rievocativo del Miracolo di San Biagio' forms a lively procession with traditional drums to reevoke the moment of liberation. See the video below.

And many other places in Italy bear his name: Monte San Biagio (Lazio); San Biagio della Cima (Imperia); San Biagio di Callalta (Treviso); San Biagio Platani (Agrigento); San Biagio Saracinisco (Frosinone) and San Biase (Chieti).