Patronal Festival of Saint Ampelius

The patron saint's festival of Bordighera

The Patronal Festival of Saint Ampelius is the most important religious and popular event of the year for Bordighera, a town in western Liguria in the province of Imperia. Saint Ampelius, a hermit who lived in the 5th century according to tradition, is the town's patron saint, and his festival — celebrated in mid-May — combines the spiritual dimension with that of the community.

Religious rites and procession

The central moment is the day of the patronal feast: in the morning, the pontifical mass presided over by the bishop in the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena, and in the afternoon, the procession with the blessing of the town. These rites are accompanied by the presentation of the Parmurelu d'Oru, an award linked to the tradition of palm fronds that connects Bordighera to the Vatican.

Gastronomy, music, and fireworks over the sea

Alongside the rites, the festivities offer four evenings of gastronomy and music on the Spianata del Capo, starting at 7 PM. The climax is the fireworks display that lights up from Capo Sant'Ampelio, the southernmost point of Liguria, offering a unique spectacle with fireworks reflected on the sea.

Bordighera and its palm tradition

The festival of Saint Ampelius is also an opportunity to rediscover one of Bordighera's peculiarities: the processing of palm fronds, supplied to the Vatican for Easter celebrations for centuries. Tradition, faith, and civic identity merge in an event that is the true heart of Bordighera's year.