Patronal Feast of Saint Cassian

The Feast of Imola's Patron Saint

On August 13th, Imola, in the heart of the Metropolitan City of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna, celebrates its patron saint Saint Cassian, also shared by the Diocese of Imola. The festivities are spread over three days, from August 11th to 13th, and naturally blend the religious and civil dimensions, transforming the historic center into a stage for concerts, solemn rites, and costume re-enactments. It is one of the most cherished events by the Imola community, capable of attracting faithful, curious onlookers, and tourists around the figure of the saint.

Who was Saint Cassian

According to tradition, Saint Cassian was a teacher of ars notaria, a discipline that predates shorthand, martyred in Imola during the early Christian persecutions. The manner of his martyrdom is unique and has been passed down for centuries: the saint is said to have died from the blows of the sharp styluses of his own students. His relics are kept in the crypt of the Basilica Cathedral of Saint Cassian the Martyr, the city's Duomo, dedicated to him since its consecration in 1271 and later rebuilt in the 18th century to a design by the Imola architect Cosimo Morelli.

The Three-Day Program

The schedule alternates musical events and moments of devotion. The feast opens in the cloister of Palazzo Monsignani with a concert by the Filarmonica Città di Imola, continues with the traditional peace bike ride — now in its twentieth edition — which crosses the city to the milestone on Via Villa Clelia, and culminates on August 13th with the solemn pontifical mass presided over by the bishop. In the afternoon, the Diocesan Museum, the Carriage Museum, and the historic garden open, while in the evening the historical costume procession parades through the city streets with participants, flag-throwers, and re-enactment groups from the region.

Faith and Community

Alongside the liturgy, there is a dimension of solidarity: on the patron saint's day, a solidarity lunch is organized for the needy at the Osservanza convent, where gastronomic stands and entertainment come to life after the procession. It is this blend of the sacred and the popular, of classical music and city tradition, that makes the Feast of Saint Cassian an identity-defining event for Imola and the entire Imola area.