Francesco 800 – Cycle of events for the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis

The first edition of Francesco 800 accompanies the public throughout 2026 with nine events spread across the Municipality of Sissa Trecasali, in the province of Parma. Promoted by the Municipality with Bi&Bi Eventi and curated by architect Vitaliano Biondi, the series celebrates the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi under the patronage of the Province of Parma and the dedicated National Committee.

The calendar alternates theatre, polyphonic music, conferences on iconography and medieval history, an autumn painting exhibition, and a convivial Franciscan dinner at the Rocca dei Terzi. A journey that combines the spiritual and cultural dimensions, enhancing the hamlets and churches of the territory.

May 3 — Ronco Campo Canneto

• Theatrical performance San Francesco, uomo di Dio (Saint Francis, Man of God), at the Church of Sant'Amatore.

June 4 — Rocca dei Terzi

• 7:00 PM — Concert Armonie e preghiere dal cortese al sacro (Harmonies and prayers from the courtly to the sacred), polyphonic music from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance with the «Città di Parma» Choir conducted by Maestro Simone Campanini, at the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (free admission).
• 8:00 PM — Franciscan dinner inspired by medieval cuisine by chef Gianni Brancatelli (Ristorante Cacio e Pepe, Reggio Emilia): dark bread crostini with wild herbs, warm curd cheese and black truffle, guinea fowl skewers, spelt and chickpea soup, and San Francesco-style mustard sweets. Selected Umbrian wines by Matteo Pessina and lute accompaniment by Niccolò Bertoncini.

June 11 — Sissa, «Giuseppe Tonna» Library

• 6:00 PM — Meeting with Michele Lodone on medieval history and heresies in Francis's time.

October 3 – November 8 — Oratorio del Crocifisso

• Exhibition Frate Sole e Sorella Luna. Visioni pittoriche francescane (Brother Sun and Sister Moon. Franciscan Pictorial Visions), curated by Simone Fappanni.

L'Uomo, il Santo, il Simbolo: San Francesco nell'arte Series (curated by Simone Fappanni, 6:00 PM)

• November 22 — Church of Torricella;
• November 29 — Church of Palasone;
• December 6 — Church of San Quirico;
• December 13 — Oratorio del Crocifisso, Sissa.

The program is enriched by an opening iconographic conference also curated by Simone Fappanni. For updated schedules, please refer to the website of the Municipality of Sissa Trecasali and the channels of Bi&Bi Eventi.

• The Franciscan medieval dinner at the Rocca dei Terzi with a themed menu by chef Gianni Brancatelli.
• The concert by the «Città di Parma» Choir conducted by Maestro Simone Campanini.
• The autumn exhibition Frate Sole e Sorella Luna at the Oratorio del Crocifisso.
• The series of meetings on Franciscan iconography curated by Simone Fappanni.

Where

The events take place in various locations within the Municipality of Sissa Trecasali (PR): the Rocca dei Terzi, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Church of Sant'Amatore in Ronco Campo Canneto, the Oratorio del Crocifisso in Sissa, the «Giuseppe Tonna» Library, and the churches of Torricella, Palasone, and San Quirico.

How to Get There

Sissa Trecasali is located in the Parma lowlands, about 25 km from Parma. By car, it can be reached from the Via Emilia and the SP10; the nearest train station is Parma, from which you can continue by bus or car.

Tickets and Reservations

Most of the events are free admission. The Franciscan dinner at the Rocca dei Terzi is ticketed (€45 per person) and requires reservation. Information and reservations: tel. 0521 313300 or 349 7462067.