Festival of Forgiveness

A festival that is the heart of Castelleonese spring

The Festa del Perdono is, along with the patron saint's festival, the most cherished event of the year in Castelleone di Suasa, a small village in the province of Ancona overlooking the right bank of the Cesano river, in the heart of the Marche region. It is a 'mobile' festival, as it takes place around Easter: when Easter is early, it is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter (Dominica in Albis), and when it is late, it is celebrated on one of the Sundays preceding Holy Week. In 2026, the festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 12th, with an afternoon of celebration, tradition, and fun for all ages.

Origins: the SS. Crucifix and the Friars Minor

The recurrence has its roots in 1604, the year the Church of the SS. Crucifix, also known as Saint Francis of Paola, was built next to the convent of the Friars Minor, which now houses the municipal offices. The devotion is linked to the miraculous healing of an abbot and the cult of Saint Francis of Paola, who died in Tours on April 2nd, 1507. The influx of pilgrims was such that, as early as the beginning of the 18th century, a covered loggia was built along the processional route to shelter the faithful: an element that still characterizes the village and today's celebrations.

The 'Passeggiata del Perdono' and the events

The afternoon of celebration opens with Eucharistic services in the Church of the SS. Crucifix. The heart of the day is the Passeggiata del Perdono (Forgiveness Walk), a walk through the Marche countryside that visits the sacred shrines in the area, with a snack offered by Pro Suasa to participants. Afterwards, the village comes alive with:

• Renaissance show with drummers, flag wavers, and archers from local historical groups;
• traditional games such as briscola, tris, and campana, organized by ASD Castelleonese and Azione Cattolica;
• craft workshops, Marche songs and dances with local folk groups;
• food stalls and a charity raffle to support parish activities.

The 'Fiera del Perdono'

The day after the festival, traditionally on Monday, the Fiera del Perdono (Forgiveness Fair) takes place: for the entire day, Corso Marconi and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II are filled with stalls, market vendors, and people, in one of the most established fairs in the local calendar.

Castelleone di Suasa and the archaeological site

Visiting the Festa del Perdono is also an opportunity to discover Castelleone di Suasa and its extraordinary heritage: in the valley at the foot of the medieval castle lie the remains of the ancient Roman town hall of Suasa, with the Roman amphitheater (the second largest in the Marche after the one in Ancona) and the famous Domus dei Coiedii, a rich patrician residence with marble floors. History, faith, and popular tradition thus merge into a single identity festival for the Municipality.