Saint Anne's Feast - Spinosini Festival

A Feast at the Heart of Centobuchi

Every summer, between late July and the first days of August, the hamlet of Centobuchi, in the Municipality of Monteprandone (Province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region), experiences its most cherished event: the Feast of Saint Anne, inextricably linked to the Spinosini Festival. It's one of those village festivals where the religious and convivial dimensions have always intertwined, organized with passion by the Sant'Anna Association, which draws thousands of visitors from across the Piceno Riviera and the inland areas each year.

Spinosini, the Golden Egg Pasta of Piceno

The dish that gives the festival its name is no ordinary pasta. Spinosini are very fine egg macaroni originating from nearby Campofilone, in the Valdaso valley: a pasta made from a few simple ingredients – flour and plenty of eggs – which in 2013 obtained the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) certification, the first and only Italian egg pasta to bear this recognition. At the Saint Anne festival, spinosini are enjoyed in two now-iconic versions: with country-style sauce, a rich and fragrant ragù, and in the more surprising variant with ham and lemon, which enhances its delicacy. Alongside the spinosini, the stalls at the Pontellara Arena offer street food, Ascolana olives, fried items, local beers, and wines.

The Procession and Devotion to Saint Anne

The religious heart of the feast is celebrated around July 26th, the day dedicated to Saint Anne. The fifteenth-century chapel of Saint Anne, along the Via Salaria, and the church of San Nicolò di Bari in the historic centre of Monteprandone provide the backdrop for the solemn procession accompanying the statue of the saint, followed by a Eucharistic celebration and, late in the evening, a fireworks display. It is a rite that the community has renewed for generations, with particular attention to expectant couples, who traditionally entrust themselves to Saint Anne's protection.

Five Evenings of Music and Fun

Once the religious celebrations conclude, the Pontellara Arena transforms for five consecutive evenings into a grand festive space, with gastronomic stands opening at 7:30 PM and live music until late: concerts, '80s and '90s revival nights, dance music, cover bands, and shows for all ages. This is the tried-and-tested formula that has made the Spinosini Festival one of the most anticipated summer events in the Piceno area.

The Twentieth Anniversary Milestone

In 2026, the event reaches an important milestone: its twentieth edition. The Sant'Anna Association has also planned a celebratory event dedicated to the twenty years of the festival, a sign of a tradition now deeply rooted in the identity of Centobuchi and the entire Monteprandone territory.