Festa del Patrono San Terenzio di Pesaro
On September 24th, Pesaro celebrates its patron saint with faith, history, and open museums
About San Terenzio
The festival that tells the identity of Pesaro
September 24th is a date every Pesaro resident knows by heart: it's the day of San Terenzio, the city's patron saint. According to tradition, Terenzio was the first bishop of Pesaro and suffered martyrdom on September 24th, 247 AD. For centuries, the Municipality of Pesaro and the Archdiocese have jointly celebrated this anniversary, which is both a religious festival and a major cultural event for the entire community.
The religious heart of the day
The spiritual part of the festival revolves around the Cathedral of Pesaro. On the patron saint's day, masses are held throughout the morning and evening, while in the late afternoon, solemn Vespers are celebrated, followed by the procession with the urn of San Terenzio through the streets of the historic center. The solemn concelebration is presided over by the Archbishop, and around the rite gather confraternities, faithful, and citizens in a moment of strong collective cohesion.
San Terenzio at the museums: a full dose of culture
What makes the Pesaro festival truly special is the combination of devotion and culture. For several years now, September 24th has become an opportunity to throw open the doors of the Pesaro Musei system: the Civic Museums of Palazzo Mosca, Casa Rossini, the National Rossini Museum, the Diocesan Museum, the Maritime Museum, and other city spaces offer extraordinary openings, themed guided tours, and free or reduced admission, especially for residents of Pesaro and surrounding municipalities. It's a way to rediscover the city's artistic and archaeological heritage – from its Roman roots to the genius of Gioachino Rossini – right on the festival day.
An event in Pesaro's calendar
Included in the rich program of events in the city in the Marche region, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, the Festa di San Terenzio represents one of the most heartfelt identity events of the Pesaro autumn. It falls in a lively period, close to other major city events, and offers residents and visitors the chance to experience the historic center amidst spirituality, history, and art.
- When: September 24th, every year
- Where: historic center of Pesaro (Cathedral, Palazzo Mosca, city museums)
- What: masses, procession of the saint's urn, museums and exhibitions open
San Terenzio — edition 2026
San Terenzio 2026
The 2026 edition of the Patron Saint's Day in Pesaro is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, a date confirmed by the official city events program presented by the Municipality of Pesaro. This year again, the festival will be divided between the religious dimension – masses in the Cathedral, solemn Vespers, and the procession of the urn of San Terenzio through the streets of the center – and the cultural one, with the "San Terenzio ai musei" initiative offering extraordinary openings and reduced admission to the Pesaro Musei facilities.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (mass times, procession route, list of open museums, guided tours, and exhibitions) will be published by the Municipality of Pesaro and Pesaro Musei closer to the festival. It is advisable to consult the official channels in the days leading up to September 24th.
Programme San Terenzio 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Pesaro and Pesaro Musei in the weeks preceding the festival.
Based on recent editions, the day of September 24th typically unfolds as follows:
- Morning and evening — Holy Masses in the Cathedral of Pesaro
- Late afternoon — Solemn Vespers and concelebration presided over by the Archbishop
- Following — Procession with the urn of San Terenzio through the streets of the historic center
- All day — "San Terenzio ai musei": extraordinary openings of Palazzo Mosca, Casa Rossini, National Rossini Museum, Diocesan Museum, Maritime Museum, and other city spaces, with guided tours and temporary exhibitions
Highlights San Terenzio 2026
- Solemn procession of the urn of San Terenzio in the historic center
- "San Terenzio ai musei" initiative with extraordinary openings
- Free or reduced admission for residents of Pesaro and surrounding municipalities
Prices San Terenzio 2026
Practical information — San Terenzio
How to get there
Pesaro is served by the train station on the Adriatic line Bologna-Lecce; from the station square, the historic center can be reached on foot in a few minutes. By car, take the Pesaro-Urbino exit from the A14 motorway. The nearest airport is Rimini-Miramare.
Admissions and visits
Religious celebrations in the Cathedral and the procession are free and open to all. For the museums, on the patron saint's day, extraordinary openings are planned with free or reduced admission, often reserved for residents of Pesaro and surrounding municipalities; some guided tours (e.g., to Villa Imperiale) require mandatory booking and a paid ticket.
Tips
Check the updated times for masses, the procession, and museum openings on the Pesaro Municipality website and on Pesaro Musei in the days preceding the festival. For information: 0721 387541.
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Where does it take place — San Terenzio
Centro storico di Pesaro
Piazza del Popolo, 61121 Pesaro