April 25th Commemorative Ceremony at the Brigata Maiella Shrine
Honoring the Liberation in Taranta Peligna, in the heart of the Maiella mountains
About April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine
A symbolic site of the Resistance in Abruzzo
Every April 25th, the town of Taranta Peligna (province of Chieti, Abruzzo) hosts the commemorative ceremony for Liberation Day at the Brigata Maiella Shrine. Nestled in the valley beneath the Maiella massif, this small stone chapel is dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the partisan unit formed in Casoli on December 5, 1943. Inaugurated in 1976, the Shrine has become the symbolic site for institutional celebrations of April 25th in Abruzzo, attracting high-profile official visits, including those of Presidents of the Republic Ciampi in 2001 and Mattarella in 2018.
The Brigata Maiella
The Brigata Maiella represents a unique chapter in the history of the Italian Resistance: it is the only partisan unit in Italy to be awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor for its flag. Following the armistice of September 8, 1943, these Abruzzese patriots fought for freedom, starting from the mountains of Abruzzo and advancing up the peninsula as far as Bologna and the Asiago plateau. The annual ceremony keeps this memory alive and passes it on to new generations.
How the day unfolds
The ceremony is organized by the National Association of Former Combatants "Gruppo Patrioti della Maiella" in collaboration with local authorities and associations. The program typically includes:
- morning inauguration of historical exhibitions set up in the areas near the Shrine;
- gathering at the entrance arch followed by a parade of banners from various municipalities and associations, accompanied by a marching band;
- wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the fallen and official speeches;
- choral and musical performances by local students, who are the protagonists of the day.
A memory looking toward the future
What makes this event special is the strong involvement of young people and schools from Abruzzo, who explore a theme related to the values of the Republic and the Constitution each year. The growing public participation testifies to how deeply rooted the awareness of the Brigata Maiella's role in national history is in Abruzzo and throughout Italy. For those visiting the Maiella National Park, the Shrine is also a site of great civil and scenic significance.
April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the Liberation, opened at 9:00 AM at the former ANAS gallery with the inauguration of the exhibitions "The Mothers of the Constitution – 21 Women in the Constituent Assembly" and "Ernie Pyle, Journalist and War Correspondent."
At 10:00 AM, participants gathered at the Shrine's entrance arch, followed at 10:15 AM by the parade of municipal and association banners, accompanied by the "Armando Manzi" Musical Association Band from Gessopalena. This was followed by the wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the fallen and official speeches.
Students from the I.C. Palena-Torricella Peligna and the high schools "Algeri Marino" of Casoli, "E. Mattei" of Vasto, and "Ovidio" of Sulmona were the protagonists, with choral and musical performances on the theme "Young People as Protagonists in Institutions. Telling the Story of the Republic, Building the Future."
Programme April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine 2026
Saturday, April 25, 2026 — 81st Anniversary of the Liberation
- 09:00 — Inauguration of exhibitions at the former ANAS gallery: "The Mothers of the Constitution – 21 Women in the Constituent Assembly" and "Ernie Pyle, Journalist and War Correspondent"
- 10:00 — Gathering at the Shrine's entrance arch
- 10:15 — Parade of municipal and association banners, with the "Armando Manzi" Musical Association Band from Gessopalena
- Wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the fallen and official speeches
- Choral and musical performances by students on the theme "Young People as Protagonists in Institutions"
Highlights April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine 2026
- 2026 Theme: "The Long Path of the Constitution," marking the 80th anniversary of the Republic and women's suffrage
- Exhibition: "The Mothers of the Constitution – 21 Women in the Constituent Assembly"
- Banner parade with the "Armando Manzi" Band from Gessopalena
- Presentations by students from schools in Palena-Torricella, Casoli, Vasto, and Sulmona
Prices April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine 2026
Practical information — April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine
Location
The Brigata Maiella Shrine is located in Taranta Peligna (CH), in the valley beneath the Maiella massif, within the Maiella National Park.
How to get there
By car: from Chieti or the Adriatic coast, reach Taranta Peligna by traveling through the Val di Sangro and the internal roads of the eastern side of the Maiella. The nearest train station is Palena/Casoli on the Sangritana line; using a car is recommended for the final stretch to the Shrine.
Admission
The ceremony is public and free to attend. We recommend wearing clothing suitable for the season and a mountain environment.
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Where does it take place — April 25th at the Brigata Maiella Shrine
Sacrario della Brigata Maiella