Madonna dei Miracoli Festival
The grand Marian feast of Casalbordino, blending faith, tradition, and music
About Madonna dei Miracoli
The most beloved Marian festival of the Adriatic Abruzzo
The Madonna dei Miracoli Festival is the signature event of Casalbordino, a town in the province of Chieti, nestled in the heart of the Trabocchi Coast in Abruzzo. Every June 10th and 11th, the town and the Miracoli district—home to the imposing Basilica-Sanctuary—become the center of a celebration that weaves together faith, folk traditions, and spectacular performances, attracting the faithful and curious alike from across the region and nearby Molise.
The origins: the 1576 apparition
The festival is rooted in the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the elderly farmer Alessandro Muzio, a native of Pollutri, which occurred on June 11, 1576. The day before, on Pentecost, a violent hailstorm had devastated the fields of Casalbordino. While visiting the Pian del Lago area to check on his wheat field and reciting the rosary, Muzio witnessed the vision of the Madonna; the sanctuary was later built on the site of the apparition. Devotion grew over the centuries, and in 1899, the effigy of the Madonna dei Miracoli was solemnly crowned.
Two days of rites and community
The program alternates between liturgical and secular moments. On June 10th, the statue of the Blessed Virgin is moved to the church of the Santissimo Salvatore, followed by the Novena and, in the evening, the laying of a wreath at the War Memorial and a processional walk to the Basilica, accompanied by a brass band. On June 11th, the climactic day, solemn masses are held, followed by the grand procession with the statue of the Madonna through the town streets.
The Miracles Fair and festivities in the square
The Miracles Fair takes place around the sanctuary, a historic market featuring stalls, food stands, and rides for all ages. The secular festivities conclude with a fireworks display and free concerts in Piazza Papa Giovanni Paolo I, which in recent years have hosted well-known names from the Italian music scene, transforming the religious festival into a major popular summer event.
A heritage of faith and identity
As the spiritual heart of Casalbordino and the entire Vasto area, the Madonna dei Miracoli Festival preserves the centuries-old bond between the community and its sanctuary. For those visiting the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic tradition, complete with pilgrimages, processions, and the warm hospitality of a town that still gathers around its Madonna today.
Madonna dei Miracoli — edition 2026
2026 Edition: 450 years since the apparition
The 2026 edition of the Madonna dei Miracoli Festival in Casalbordino took place on June 10th and 11th, marking the 450th anniversary of the 1576 apparition, with jubilee-style celebrations at the sanctuary. The Marian year was prepared by events such as the enthronement of the Madonna and the 30th Pollutri-Casalbordino pilgrimage on May 30th, led by the Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, Monsignor Bruno Forte, on the theme "Maria Mater Divinae Gratiae".
The religious program
On June 10th, the statue of the Blessed Virgin was transferred to the church of the Santissimo Salvatore, followed by the Novena officiated by Father Silvio Santovito with the Benedictine monks of the Basilica; in the evening, a wreath was laid at the War Memorial in Piazza Umberto I, followed by a processional walk to the Basilica of Miracoli. On June 11th, solemn masses were held, followed by the procession with the statue of the Madonna through the town, accompanied by the Madonna dei Miracoli youth band.
Music and festivities in the square
The secular program reached its peak with the free concert by Francesca Michielin, one of the most recognizable names in contemporary Italian pop, on June 11th in Piazza Papa Giovanni Paolo I. Around the sanctuary, as per tradition, there were market stalls, food stands, and the funfair of the Miracles Fair.
Programme Madonna dei Miracoli 2026
Highlights Madonna dei Miracoli 2026
Prices Madonna dei Miracoli 2026
Practical information — Madonna dei Miracoli
Getting there
Casalbordino is located in the province of Chieti, on the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo. By car: take the Vasto Nord exit on the A14 motorway, then follow the SS16 north. By train: Casalbordino-Pollutri station on the Adriatic line, with connections to the Basilica-Sanctuary of Miracoli.
When
The festival takes place every year on June 10th and 11th, with the main events occurring on the 11th.
Admission
Religious rites, processions, the Miracles Fair, and concerts in the square are free of charge.
Tips
We recommend arriving early for the procession and evening concerts; parking is available near the sanctuary and the town center. During the festival days, the Miracoli area is bustling with market stalls and traditional food stands.
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Where does it take place — Madonna dei Miracoli
Basilica-Santuario della Madonna dei Miracoli e centro di Casalbordino