Ancient Monticino Festival

A Festival That Tells the Story of Brisighella

The Ancient Monticino Festival is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of Brisighella, a splendid village in the Province of Ravenna in Emilia-Romagna, part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Every September, the historic center, dominated by the Manfrediana Fortress and the famous Via degli Asini (Donkeys' Street), transforms into an open-air stage of music, markets, flavors, and popular tradition.

Origins and Devotion to the Madonna del Monticino

The festival originates from a story of ancient devotion. In the 17th century, an image of the Madonna and Child placed in an aedicule on the walls of Brisighella was considered miraculous: on September 8, 1662, it was moved to a small oratory on the hill that has since been named Monticino. Between 1756 and 1773, the Sanctuary of Monticino was built there, rebuilt in neoclassical style, favored by the taste of the time in Faenza. For over three centuries, every September, Brisighella has celebrated the Madonna del Monticino with one of Romagna's oldest popular festivals, combining a liturgical program with a rich offering of secular events.

What to Experience at the Festival

The village fills with colors and scents. Along the streets of the historic center, you'll find:

• Markets featuring crafts and local products, showcasing regional excellences like Brisighella extra virgin olive oil and the Moretto artichoke;
• Food stalls dedicated to Romagna flavors, from homemade pasta dishes to grilled meats, and fish dishes;
• the funfair with rides and attractions in the station square, for children and teenagers;
• the panoramic train that takes visitors to explore the village and the Rocca;
• workshops for families, exhibitions, live music, and the extraordinary opening of the town's museums, from the Manfrediana Fortress to the Ugonia Museum.

Between Faith, Taste, and Landscape

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Brisighella and the surrounding Regional Park of the Romagnola Gypsum Vein. Walking among the three hills of Monticino, the Rocca, and the Clock Tower, savoring Romagna cuisine, and breathing in the atmosphere of a community that has gathered around its festival for centuries is an unforgettable experience. An authentic event, far from mass tourism, where tradition is still at home.