Festival of Saint Gabriel and Feast of Gnocchi with Duck

A festival that smells of tradition

In the Municipality of Morrovalle, in the province of Macerata, the Festival of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the most heartfelt events of the year. Promoted by the Passionist Fathers at their convent, the religious festival has over the years merged with the Feast of Gnocchi with Duck, a food and wine festival that attracts visitors from all over the Chienti valley and central Marche. The result is an event lasting almost ten days, made of devotion, good food, music, and socialising.

The star dish

The heart of the festival is gnocchi with duck, gnocchi seasoned with rich duck ragù, one of the most iconic dishes of the Marchigiana peasant tradition. At the stalls managed by volunteers, you can also taste other typical local dishes, accompanied by local wines. The kitchen opens for lunch and dinner on the key days, transforming the convent square into a large convivial gathering place.

Music, shows, and sports

Alongside the food stalls, the program each year offers musical evenings with cover bands and live groups, performances by local dance schools, majorettes, comedy shows in dialect, and group dances. There are also sports events: from the Saint Gabriel Trophy, a cross-country race dedicated to youth categories, to tournaments that liven up the convent grounds. In recent editions, a dodgeball tournament has also been added, a sign of the festival's ability to renew itself while maintaining its popular spirit.

The religious dimension

Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, a young Passionist religious proclaimed a saint in 1920, is particularly venerated in the Marche and Abruzzo regions. In Morrovalle, his festival preserves the link with the Passionist community: liturgical celebrations and prayer moments punctuate the days, recalling the devotional origin of the event.

A festival for everyone

With free admission and suitable for families, the Festival of Saint Gabriel with its Feast of Gnocchi with Duck is the ideal opportunity to discover the hospitality of Morrovalle, one of the most charming villages in the Marche region, and to experience firsthand a tradition that combines the sacred and the profane, food and community.