Historical Pageant of Prato — September 8th Feast

A tradition spanning eight centuries

The Historical Pageant of Prato is the iconic event of this Tuscan city: every September 8th, on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the center of Prato transforms into a grand open-air stage. The festival blends civic and religious life, celebrating the Ostension of the Sacred Girdle, the Marian relic housed in the Cathedral of Santo Stefano. According to tradition, in 1141, the Prato merchant Michele Dagomari brought the Girdle of the Virgin Mary to Prato from the East; since then, the relic has been an object of deep veneration, and since the 14th century, its public display has been accompanied by a solemn ceremony.

The costume parade

The modern version of the pageant was established after World War II and has become the primary historical event of the Municipality of Prato. The evening parade is led by the City Guards and the Municipal Valets Corps, followed by hundreds of participants in period costumes. In its largest editions, over five hundred people have taken part, including historical groups from the Province of Prato, neighboring Tuscan provinces, and delegations from twin cities. Drummers, flag-wavers, ladies, and knights recreate the atmosphere of medieval and Renaissance Prato.

The Ostension of the Sacred Girdle

The religious heart of the day is the Ostension of the Sacred Girdle from the famous Pulpit of Donatello and Michelozzo, built on the cathedral facade specifically to display the relic to the crowds of faithful. The Bishop elevates the Girdle before the city gathered in Piazza del Duomo, in one of the most evocative moments of the Prato religious calendar. The relic is displayed only five times a year, and the September 8th ceremony is the most solemn.

History and culture

The ancient and famous Fair of Prato reached its peak on September 8th: for three days, the "Madonna of the Fair" attracted merchants, traders, and artisans from all over Tuscany. The festival is even mentioned by Niccolò Machiavelli in The Mandrake, a sign of how deeply rooted it was in the city's identity as early as the 16th century. Today, the Historical Pageant remains the most anticipated appointment of the Prato September and an opportunity to rediscover the republican and mercantile history of Prato.

When and where

The event takes place every September 8th in the historic center of Prato, the capital of the province of the same name in Tuscany. The evening parade starts from the Town Hall and ends in Piazza del Duomo, where stands and large screens are set up for the public. Admission is free.