Patronal Feast of Maria SS. Assunta

A festival born from a millennial abbey

In Abbadia Cerreto, a tiny municipality in the Province of Lodi in Lombardy, the patronal feast of Maria Santissima Assunta is much more than a religious recurrence: it is the moment when the village rediscovers its identity. Everything here starts from the abbey, founded in 1084 as a Benedictine monastery and in 1131 entrusted to Cistercian monks, who made it a spiritual and agricultural center of great importance for the entire Lodi plain. The dedication to the Virgin Assunta dates back to those centuries and has accompanied the life of the community ever since.

When it is celebrated

The patron saint is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of September, even though the liturgical solemnity of the Assumption falls on August 15th. The choice of the first Sunday of the month allows the entire village to gather after the summer, on a day dedicated to faith and community.

Between faith and community

The heart of the festival is the celebration in the ancient abbey church of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most notable examples of Romanesque architecture in the Lodi region, with its imposing terracotta structure. The liturgy is surrounded by the social events that have always accompanied the festivals of the Po Valley villages: the procession, gatherings, stalls, and sharing among the village families.

• Solemn mass in the Romanesque abbey
• Procession through the village streets
• Convivial moments and popular traditions

A village to discover

Visiting Abbadia Cerreto during the festival also means discovering one of the hidden jewels of rural Lombardy: the abbey complex, the tranquility of the Lodi countryside, and a tradition that endures over time. For the detailed program of the 2026 edition, it is advisable to contact the Municipality or follow the parish channels.