Lo Sbarco di Papa Alessandro III

A medieval legend revived on the seafront

Lo Sbarco di Papa Alessandro III is one of the most beloved historical reenactments in Grottammare, a gem of the Riviera delle Palme in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region. For one evening, the seaside town brings back to life an episode from almost nine centuries ago: the accidental landing that the pontiff was forced to make in the ancient port of Grottammare in 1177. The highlight takes place in Piazza Kursaal and along the seafront, where the Pope arrives from the sea aboard a boat and is welcomed on the beach by the celebrating population.

The story: the Pope, the storm, and the indulgence

According to tradition, Alexander III was sailing along the Adriatic to reach Venice and gain the support of the Serenissima in the long conflict between the papacy and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. A violent storm forced his ships to seek refuge in the port of Grottammare. Moved by the faith and welcome of the inhabitants during the celebrations on July 1st, the pontiff allegedly filled his mitre with sand, proclaiming that as many indulgences would be granted to pilgrims as there were grains of sand contained within. This gave rise to the Sacra Giubilare, the plenary indulgence linked to the Church of San Martino, confirmed over the centuries by two papal bulls (Pius VII in 1803 with Ad augendam and Paul VI in 1973). The full Sacred Indulgence is celebrated only in years when July 1st falls on a Sunday, a rare event that occurs on a cycle of five, six, or eleven years.

The procession and the shows

The reenactment stages a spectacular historical procession that retraces the main events of the town's history. In past editions, dozens of figures in period costumes have paraded, with cardinals and Knights Templar accompanying the Pope, along with flag-wavers and folk dances animating the beach and the square. The evening traditionally concludes with a fireworks display over the sea. In more elaborate versions, linked to the Sacra Giubilare, the procession has involved hundreds of participants.

The return in summer 2026

After a three-year absence, Lo Sbarco returns to Grottammare's summer schedule, a program of over four months from June to September 20th. The reenactment, scheduled for July 3, 2026, enriches the core of the town's historical festivals, preceding the Festival of the Patron Saint San Paterniano (July 10-12) and the traditional Palio del Pattino by a few days. An event that combines historical memory, religious tradition, and spectacle, perfect for discovering the charm of Grottammare's old town and its riviera.