Feast of Saint Bassus

Saint Bassus, patron saint of Cupra Marittima

The Feast of Saint Bassus is the most anticipated religious and popular event of the year in Cupra Marittima, an elegant seaside resort on the Riviera delle Palme, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region. Saint Bassus, a martyr from Nice who lived between 179 and 250 AD, was traditionally transported by sea to Cupra in the early 6th century: since then, he has been venerated as the protector of the seafaring community. A precious relic containing one of the Saint's teeth is carried in procession during the celebrations.

Three feasts in one year

The bond between Cupra and its patron saint is renewed three times a year: on December 5th, the anniversary of his martyrdom; at the end of August, in memory of the discovery of his body, with a evocative procession of the relic on the beach to bless the sea; and on Easter Monday, which the parish priest calls "the most heartfelt of the three feasts" because it commemorates the translation of the Saint's body from Civita to the village of Marano, in the church of Santa Maria in Castello.

From the "Festa delle cove" to the Committee

The origins of the spring feast date back to the 19th century, when the so-called "Festa delle cove" (Feast of the sheaves) was celebrated at the end of the wheat harvest, a tradition that continued until World War II. In 1960, the Saint Bassus Festival Committee was founded on the initiative of parish priest Don Gerardo Di Girolami, and since 1961 the feast has been officially celebrated on Easter Monday, combining religious services with a village festival.

Faith and community celebration

The day begins with the solemn Mass and the procession presided over by the Bishop, accompanied by the brass band. Alongside the spiritual moment, the village comes alive with the civil program organized by the Committee in Piazza Possenti: the arrival of the town band, the traditional 'ngiucchetta race, a fun run, the food stand, concerts, a magic show for the little ones, a DJ set, and, to close, the fireworks display that lights up the sky over the sea.

An event not to be missed

The Feast of Saint Bassus traditionally marks the beginning of the event season in Cupra Marittima: an opportunity to discover the village, its historic center, the Civita Archaeological Natural Park, and the hospitality of one of the most beloved locations on the Piceno coast.