Festivals and Celebrations

Every year, on the third Sunday of September, Morolo celebrates the feast in honor of the Madonna delle Grazie, also known as Madonna del Piano, in the area where the church dedicated to the Madonna is located.

Over the years, the religious festival has taken on more and more aspects of entertainment and food and wine stands are set up where it is possible to taste the culinary delights and local products.

The Quintana Knightly Tournament is a challenge in which a knight must hit a target with his spear. Six knights participate in representing the districts of the city.

In this joust each rider must make three consecutive attempts which are repeated three times. If the Palio is won, a canvas painting created every year by a famous artist is given as a prize to the winner.

The tournaments (jousting) were typical of the Middle Ages and were used to train the cavalry in the art of war. They were very popular during 1200-1300 and the Giostra della Quintana is reported in the Municipal Statutes of 1377.

The events take place over a period of almost two months in the summer with numerous events such as the Palio of the Flag – wavers in July, a competition of 5 specialties fought between the flag-wavers of the city and which takes place in the magnificent Piazza Arringo. An incredible game of colors and sounds capable of thrilling every spectator.

Flags fly in the summer sky like colorful butterflies to the music of the drums. The skill of the musicians is so high that they have also been involved in modern arrangements and have participated in national television shows.

The two editions of the Historical Parade and the Giostra della Quintana take place in July and August. The historical procession is one of the largest in Italy with 1500 “actors” wearing sumptuous costumes from the 1400s. The procession is accompanied by ladies, knights, bridesmaids, armigers, archers, musicians and flag-wavers. There are also representatives of the 9 Castles of Ascoli Piceno.

The playing field is set up inside the football stadium.

Every year in mid-August, the Sea Festival (Festa del Mare) is celebrated in Santa Marinella, a food and wine event with religious roots such as the afternoon procession of boats in front of the coast and an evening mass at the port.

The festival continues all day and ends with a fish dinner with a live music backdrop, and a final fireworks display.

On the first Sunday of July in Santa Marinella, the 9 districts of the town compete in the original Palio dell’Autopedale, a special race for pedal cars made of wood and papier mache.

Beside the race, along 4 km of the coast of Santa Marinella on the Via Aurelia, allegorical floats parade with about 200 people.

The festival recalls the old Flower Festival of the 1950s which was celebrated when Santa Marinella was an important flower and nursery centre with a large production of flowers that were exported all over Europe.

The first feast of Santa Marinella is that of the 'blessing of the animals' dedicated to Saint Anthony and which is held on Sunday near January 17, the day dedicated to the saint.

On this date in the Quartaccia district, tastings and competitions are organized while the blessing is held in the Church of Via Aurelia Vecchia and is followed by a procession of the Saint through the streets of the neighbourhood.

The tradition of St Martin in Piglio has been celebrated for years, at the beginning at the Massimi palace in the center of the town and in recent years at the lower castle of Piglio and in the square.

Freshly made wines are presented for a forecast of the year - remember that the wine must rest in cask or in bottle for many months before being put on the market for the consumer. During the festival the new producers of the famous Cesanese del Piglio DOCG wine are also presented.

An opportunity to discover the village of Piglio and one of the historic Massimi House that has one of the most beautiful collections of ancient wallpaper.

On the second Sunday of November, in Vallerotonda new wine is celebrated on the occasion of the San Martino festival when 'every must becomes wine'.

An opportunity to discover the center of this Ciociarian village by combining history and gastronomy. Musical groups will brighten the day.

During the month of November, the famous Ciavattone bean festival takes place in Vallepietra, which celebrates this iconic product which has also become a Slow Food presidium.

The bean is harvested in autumn and then left to dry in ventilated rooms to be kept throughout the winter.

During the festival it is possible to taste it in salads but also in soups such as the traditional 'sagna and beans' and with 'scacchiato', a bread that is engraved on the bottom before being cooked.

In addition to the beans, you can taste the famous Vallepietra potatoes which owe their scent to the soils and climates of the Monti Simbruini mountains.