Festa di Sant'Anna - Sagra degli Spinosini

A festival that is the heart of Centobuchi

Every summer, between the end of July and the first days of August, the hamlet of Centobuchi, in the Municipality of Monteprandone (Province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region), experiences its most cherished event: the Festa di Sant'Anna, inextricably linked to the Sagra degli Spinosini. It is one of those village festivals where the religious and convivial dimensions have always intertwined, organized with passion by the Associazione Sant'Anna, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the Piceno Riviera and the hinterland each year.

Spinosini, the golden egg pasta of Piceno

The dish that gives the festival its name is no ordinary pasta. Spinosini are very fine egg macaroni originating from nearby Campofilone, in Valdaso: a pasta made from a few simple ingredients—flour and plenty of eggs—which in 2013 obtained IGP certification, the first and only Italian egg pasta to boast this recognition. At the Sant'Anna festival, spinosini are enjoyed in two now-iconic versions: with farmer's sauce, a rich and fragrant ragù, and in the more surprising ham and lemon variant, which enhances its delicacy. Alongside the spinosini, the stands at Arena Pontellara offer street food, Ascolana olives, fried items, local beers, and wines.

The procession and devotion to Saint Anne

The religious heart of the festival is celebrated around July 26th, the day dedicated to Saint Anne. The fifteenth-century church of Sant'Anna, along the Via Salaria, and the church of San Nicolò di Bari in the historic centre of Monteprandone provide the backdrop for the solemn procession accompanying the statue of the saint, followed by a Eucharistic celebration and, late in the evening, a fireworks display. It is a rite that the community has renewed for generations, with particular attention to expectant couples, who traditionally entrust themselves to Saint Anne's protection.

Five evenings of music and fun

Once the religious celebrations conclude, the Arena Pontellara transforms for five consecutive evenings into a large festival space, with food stalls opening at 7:30 PM and live music until late at night: concerts, '80s and '90s revival nights, dance music, cover bands, and shows for all ages. This is the tried-and-tested formula that has made the Sagra degli Spinosini one of the most anticipated summer events in the Piceno region.

The twentieth anniversary milestone

In 2026, the event reaches an important milestone: the twentieth edition. The Associazione Sant'Anna has also planned a celebratory event dedicated to the twenty years of the festival, a sign of a tradition now deeply rooted in the identity of Centobuchi and the entire Monteprandone territory.