Celebrations in honor of the Holy Cross

A tradition lasting since 1870

The Celebrations in honor of the Holy Cross are the most heartfelt and ancient event in Belmonte Piceno, a small municipality in the Province of Fermo, in southern Marche. An old poster from the late nineteenth century found in the municipal archives testifies that this festival has centuries-old traditions, dating back to 1870. Since then, every year at the beginning of May, the village gathers around the veneration of a fragment of the True Cross, kept in the town and carried in procession through the streets of the historic center.

The religious heart: the procession with the stauroteca

The most solemn moment of the festival is the procession of the Holy Cross, during which the precious stauroteca containing the relic is carried through the houses and countryside to impart a blessing on the fields, according to a peasant rite rooted in centuries past. The central day, May 3rd, features the celebration of Solemn Holy Mass and the administration of Confirmation to the town's young people, often presided over by the Archbishop of Fermo. The procession is accompanied by the Città di Falerone band, with songs, prayers, and the choral participation of the entire community.

Music, shows, and entertainment

Alongside the sacred dimension, the festival is above all a great popular entertainment event. Every evening, on the stage set up in the new Piazza Baglioni, concerts, comedy shows, and dancing evenings alternate, with nationally renowned guests who over the years have brought Italian light music stars like Fausto Leali and I Camaleonti to Belmonte. All events are free, faithful to the spirit of a village festival open to all.

Gastronomy by the Pro Loco

Throughout the celebrations, the food stalls managed by the Pro Loco Belmontese offer specialties of the Piceno tradition: arrosticini, potatoes, Ascolana olives, grilled chops and sausages, accompanied by typical desserts. An unmissable stop for those who want to discover the authentic flavors of the Marche region.

A village to discover

Taking advantage of the festival is also an opportunity to visit Belmonte Piceno and its Archaeological Museum of the Piceni, which houses artifacts unearthed from excavations in the early twentieth century and tells the story of the ancient Piceni people who inhabited these hills. The village, nestled in the hilly landscape between the Tenna and Ete rivers, offers evocative views, historic churches, and a viewpoint dedicated to cycling champions Bartali and Coppi.