Festival of the Mount – Ferragosto at the Basilica

The Sagra del Monte: Cesena's Ferragosto

When August 15th arrives, for the people of Cesena, there is only one horizon: Spaziano hill and its Basilica of Santa Maria del Monte. The Sagra del Monte is the most cherished event of the city's Ferragosto, a tradition that for generations has drawn thousands of people to the sanctuary's square, amidst the coolness of the hill and the scent of the stalls. It is both a religious festival—the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary—and a popular celebration, where devotion mixes with the pleasure of gathering, eating, and being in company in the heart of summer.

A Millennial Sanctuary on Cesena's Hill

The festival revolves around the Abbey of Santa Maria del Monte, an ancient Benedictine monastery that overlooks the city from the top of Spaziano hill. The basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Assumed into Heaven, is one of the Marian diocesan sanctuaries most beloved by the people of Cesena and houses a famous collection of ex-votos. The community of monks who live there according to the Rule of Saint Benedict animate the day with Gregorian chants and solemn celebrations. In 2026, the Abbey celebrates its Millennium: over a thousand years of monastic presence on the hill, celebrated with a whole year of initiatives that give the Sagra del Monte an even more special value.

Masses, Pilgrimage, and Rosary

The rhythm of the day is marked by the liturgy. Masses follow one another every hour, from the early morning until noon, accompanied by the chants of the monks and the choir. In the afternoon, the solemn Vespers and the Solemn Mass presided over by the Bishop are celebrated, while priests remain available for confessions. The heart of the tradition is the pilgrimage on foot along the Via delle Scalette, the ascent from the center to the basilica: thousands of faithful tackle the steps reciting the Rosary, in a journey that is simultaneously effort, prayer, and celebration.

The Festival and the Stalls

Alongside the religious dimension, the actual festival comes to life on the basilica's square, with the stalls and stands that have always accompanied Ferragosto at the Monte. It is an opportunity to stroll in the shade of the hill, seek some refreshment away from the city's heat, and enjoy a day of celebration with family. The Sagra del Monte is included every year in the official calendar of fairs and markets of the Municipality of Cesena, confirming its deep roots in the city's life.

A Tradition of Cesena and Romagna

For centuries, Cesena's Ferragosto has meant climbing the Monte: a custom that spans generations and still today, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, unites Marian devotion, city identity, and the desire to be together. For those visiting Cesena and the province of Forlì-Cesena in mid-August, the Sagra del Monte is the most authentic way to enter the spirit of the city.