Madonna delle Grazie Festival
The Marian feast on September 8th in Francavilla al Mare
About Madonna delle Grazie
A Marian festival in the heart of the Abruzzo summer
Every year on September 8th, the day the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the town of Francavilla al Mare, in the province of Chieti, gathers to honor the Madonna delle Grazie. Promoted by the Madonna delle Grazie Festival Committee, this event is one of the most heartfelt devotional appointments on the Teatine coast, rooted in a long-standing Marian tradition.
The sanctuary of Parco Villanesi
The heart of the festival is the small church of Madonna delle Grazie, located on the Villanesi hill and surrounded by a maritime pine forest now transformed into a public park. Consecrated in 1857, the church is tied to the veneration of the Virgin of Grace, remembered in Francavilla as one of the most cherished Marian images in the ancient Teatine diocese, second in devotion only to the Madonna dei Miracoli in Casalbordino. Once a destination for pilgrims arriving from the nearby Abruzzo hinterland, the church is now a small treasure chest of spirituality and collective memory, recognized as one of the FAI's 'Places of the Heart'.
Faith and community
The September 8th festival intertwines liturgy with popular tradition. The day is marked by religious services and a procession carrying the image of the Madonna, accompanied by the faithful through the streets of the district in an atmosphere of reflection and celebration that involves entire families. The committee also organizes traditional civil festivities throughout the year to foster devotion to the Virgin.
Francavilla al Mare and its traditions
As one of the most well-known seaside resorts on the Trabocchi Coast and the Adriatic Abruzzo region, Francavilla al Mare pairs its summer tourism with a rich heritage of religious festivals and folk traditions. The Madonna delle Grazie festival, held at the very end of the summer season, offers residents and visitors the chance to experience an authentic moment of local culture, blending faith, history, and a sense of belonging.
Dates and the detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Madonna delle Grazie Festival Committee closer to the event, which is traditionally held on September 8th.
Madonna delle Grazie — edition 2026
The 2026 Madonna delle Grazie Festival in Francavilla al Mare will take place on September 8th, on the liturgical day of the Nativity of Mary. The event, organized by the Madonna delle Grazie Festival Committee, will include traditional religious services at the church of Madonna delle Grazie and the procession with the sacred image. The detailed program, including times, civil events, and any musical performances, will be released by the committee in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Prices Madonna delle Grazie 2026
Practical information — Madonna delle Grazie
Location
The festivities take place in Francavilla al Mare (CH), Abruzzo, around the church of Madonna delle Grazie in Parco Villanesi.
How to get there
By car: take the Pescara Sud–Francavilla exit on the A14 motorway. By train: Francavilla al Mare station on the Bologna–Bari Adriatic line. Francavilla is just a few kilometers from Pescara.
Admission
Religious services and the procession are open to the public free of charge.
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Where does it take place — Madonna delle Grazie
Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie (Parco Villanesi)