Saint Ceccardo Festival

An identity-defining festival in the heart of the marble city

On June 16th, Carrara comes to a standstill to honor its patron, Saint Ceccardo of Luni. It is one of the most deeply felt occasions for the entire Apuan community: a day where religious, civic, and ancient local traditions intertwine in the squares and churches of the historic center, at the foot of the Apuan Alps and the famous white marble quarries.

The figure of Saint Ceccardo

According to tradition, Ceccardo was the Bishop of Luni and suffered martyrdom in the 9th century during a Norman raid on the Ligurian-Apuan coast. Legend has it that he was killed while traveling to Carrara to select marble for the Luni Cathedral. The oratory of San Ceccardo "ad aquas", located at the entrance to the city, still stands today on the site of his martyrdom, where popular devotion claims a spring of water gushed forth. The saint's remains are kept in the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, the splendid Romanesque-Gothic building entirely clad in marble that dominates the center of Carrara.

Religious celebrations

The heart of the festival is liturgical. On the morning of June 16th, around 11:00 AM, the Bishop of the Diocese of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli presides over Mass at the church of the martyrdom, San Ceccardo "ad aquas," which remains open for visits and prayers throughout the day. In the late afternoon, a solemn celebration takes place at the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, concelebrated by the priests of the Carrara vicariate, marking the most solemn and well-attended moment of the entire event.

The civic dimension: the Festival of Carrara and its Citizens

The patronal feast is accompanied by the Festival of Carrara and its Citizens, promoted by the City Council to reaffirm the bond between the citizens, their city, and the territory. On this occasion, a solemn and "open" session of the City Council is held, during which awards are conferred upon citizens who have distinguished themselves through civic, cultural, sporting, or social merits, bringing the name of Carrara to Italy and the world.

The city in celebration

• The extraordinary market enlivens the streets and squares of the center, following the same hours as the usual Monday market.
• Municipal offices remain closed to the public for the patronal holiday.
• The historic center, between the Cathedral and Piazza Alberica, fills with residents and visitors in a festive atmosphere.

The Saint Ceccardo Festival is much more than a religious appointment: it is the day when Carrara, the city of marble par excellence, reaffirms its identity and pride, nestled between Tuscany and the Apuan Alps.