Celebrations in Honor of Maria Santissima del Portosalvo

A maritime devotion over a century old

The Celebrations in Honor of Maria Santissima del Portosalvo represent the spiritual and popular heart of summer in Giulianova, a coastal town in the province of Teramo, Abruzzo. The devotion dates back to 1912, when the new parish church of the Nativity of Mary was built in the Borgata Marina—today's Giulianova Lido—and a papier-mâché statue of the Virgin, crafted by a workshop in Molise, was placed there. Since that year, the procession has become an annual event, marking the beginning of a tradition that still unites the fishing community and the entire city today.

The festival: novena, peregrinatio, and processions

For an entire week, usually in the first half of August, the maritime district of Giulianova Lido comes alive with religious celebrations and civic events. The peregrinatio Mariae accompanies the statue from the Nativity of Mary Parish to the church of San Pietro Apostolo, with prayer vigils held in homes along the route. The streets of the Lido fill with lights, market stalls, and families, while the calendar alternates between acts of faith and evening entertainment.

The sea procession

The most characteristic and moving moment is the sea procession. The statue of the Madonna is embarked on a fishing boat chosen by the Port Authority and, escorted by a flotilla of festively decorated vessels, sails along the coastline to the sound of sirens. The procession reaches the mouth of the Salinello river, where a laurel wreath is laid in memory of those lost at sea, followed by a solemn mass on the pier. It is a ritual that strengthens the deep bond between Giulianova and its sea, remembering those who lost their lives in the hard work of fishing.

Concerts, comedy, and fireworks

Alongside the religious dimension, the festivities offer a rich civic program. Every year, the large Piazza del Mare hosts free concerts by top Italian music artists, cabaret shows, and entertainment for all ages. The grand fireworks display over the sea is a must-see, drawing thousands of people to the promenade and the beach, closing the week of festivities with a blaze of light over the Adriatic.

A festival for all of Abruzzo

With its combination of popular faith, maritime culture, and major summer events, the feast of the Madonna del Portosalvo is among the most attended occurrences on the Teramo coast. It is the ideal opportunity to discover Giulianova Lido, its beaches, its seafood cuisine, and the warm welcome of a community that has entrusted the protection of those who go to sea to its patron saint for over a hundred years.