Feast of Saints Patrons Victor and Corona

A Feast in the Heart of the Marche

The Feast of Saints Patrons Victor and Corona is the most heartfelt event in the civil and religious calendar of Castelfidardo, a town in the province of Ancona in the Marche region, famous worldwide as the capital of the accordion. Every year, around May 14th, the historic center dresses up for the occasion to honor the two martyrs elected as protectors of the community, in a celebration that combines the spiritual dimension with the popular and cultural one.

The Story of the Two Martyrs

According to tradition, Victor was a Roman soldier who gave his life to bear witness to his faith in Christ, while Corona, a young disciple, defended him, facing martyrdom herself. Their relics arrived by sea through the nearby port of Numana, and Castelfidardo elected them as its heavenly patrons. On the occasion of the Jubilee of 2000, the Municipality dedicated an altar to them in the evocative crypt of the Collegiata di Santo Stefano, restored and returned to its ancient splendor.

The Religious Program

The spiritual heart of the feast takes place in the Collegiata di Santo Stefano. The solemn day, May 14th, includes the "fioretto" (a devotional act) in the Collegiata in the late afternoon, followed by the procession of the Patron Saints with the Civic Gonfalon along the streets of the center, accompanied by the "Città di Castelfidardo" Philharmonic Band. The procession concludes in Piazza della Repubblica with a blessing imparted with the relic of Saint Victor and the Eucharistic concelebration presided over by the Archbishop of Ancona-Osimo.

Civil and Cultural Events

Alongside the religious rites, the feast offers a packed secular program spread over several days:

• the traditional San Vittore fair along the streets of the historic center, with stalls and market;
• the solemn session of the Municipal Council for the awarding of civic merits in the Salone degli Stemmi;
• gatherings of vintage cars, shows, tribute concerts, and music evenings in the piazza;
• the children's book fair and initiatives dedicated to schools, which also promote local accordion craftsmanship;
• charity events in support of local volunteer associations.

An Identity to Experience

Participating in the Feast of the Patron Saints means discovering the authentic soul of Castelfidardo: a community that, amidst the Marche hills overlooking the Conero, proudly preserves its faith, its Risorgimento history, and a unique musical tradition. A welcoming and free village festival, ideal for those seeking a genuine experience away from the major tourist crowds.