Saint Lawrence Festival (Patronal Feast)

The patronal feast of Montese

The Saint Lawrence Festival is the patronal feast of Montese, a municipality of just over three thousand inhabitants nestled at over 800 meters above sea level in the Modena Apennines, in the province of Modena and in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Saint Lawrence the Martyr, celebrated on August 10th, is the saint to whom the Montese community has been devoted for generations: his feast day marks one of the most anticipated events of the summer in the mountains.

Between faith and popular tradition

The festival has always intertwined the spiritual dimension with that of village conviviality. Alongside the liturgical celebrations in honor of the patron saint, the program traditionally includes an evening concert in the parish church and moments of gathering for the citizens. It is an occasion that brings together the inhabitants of the village and the numerous summer visitors who choose Montese in August for the cool mountain air.

The night of the shooting stars

The date of August 10th makes the festival even more evocative: it is indeed the famous night of Saint Lawrence, when the sky fills with the shooting stars of the Perseids. The altitude and clear skies of the Modena Apennines make Montese a privileged place to look up and follow the tradition of making a wish.

Montese, a village in the Apennines

Also known for its castle, its WWII historical sites, and its healthy air, Montese is a typical destination for summer tourism in the Apennines. The Saint Lawrence Festival is the event that best tells the identity of the village, made up of peasant roots, devotion, and hospitality.

• When: August 10th, Saint Lawrence's Day
• Where: Parish church and historic center of Montese (MO)
• What: Religious celebrations, evening concert, village conviviality

For the detailed program and updated times, it is recommended to consult the channels of the Pro Loco Montese and the Municipality of Montese.