Saint Vincent Ferrer Festival
The patronal feast of Montemarcone that kicks off the Atessa summer
About Saint Vincent Ferrer
The festival that opens the Atessa summer
The Saint Vincent Ferrer Festival is the patronal celebration of Montemarcone, a small village perched on a hill between the Sangro valley and the town of Atessa, in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Traditionally held on the first weekend of June, it officially kicks off the summer season in the Atessa area.
A 19th-century tradition
The festival has roots dating back to the 1800s: the fair associated with the cult of Saint Vincent was established by the Municipality of Atessa and first held on the Piazzano sheep track in 1871, set for the first Sunday of June. This summer date was chosen because April 5th, the saint's liturgical day, almost always falls during Lent, a period when celebrations are prohibited. Since then, the event has become a defining moment for the Montemarcone community.
Religious rites and devotion
At the heart of the festival are the religious services held in the Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer, a 19th-century building completed around 1860 that became a parish seat in 1934. Celebrations include holy masses, a solemn procession with the statue of the saint through the streets of the village, and liturgical chants led by the parish community.
The fair and community initiatives
Alongside the devotional aspect, the festival preserves its ancient mercantile fair, featuring stalls with local products, handicrafts, and various goods lining the village streets. The Festival Committee also organizes community events, social gatherings, and food stands that attract residents and visitors from the neighboring towns of the Val di Sangro.
A community gathering
More than just a grand spectacle, the Saint Vincent Ferrer Festival is an authentic village feast that reflects the rural and religious identity of the Chieti hinterland. For those visiting Abruzzo during this time, it offers a chance to discover a deeply felt popular tradition, far from the usual tourist circuits, in the intimate world of the hilly hamlets of Atessa.
Saint Vincent Ferrer — edition 2026
The 2026 Saint Vincent Ferrer Festival was held on the first weekend of June, Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th, in the hamlet of Montemarcone in Atessa. As per tradition, religious celebrations in the parish church, the procession with the saint's statue, and the ancient mercantile fair brought the Abruzzo village to life, accompanied by community initiatives that launched the territory's summer season.
Programme Saint Vincent Ferrer 2026
Traditional program of the patronal feast: holy masses and liturgical celebrations in the Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer, solemn procession with the statue of the saint through the streets of the hamlet, ancient mercantile fair, and community initiatives organized by the Festival Committee.
Highlights Saint Vincent Ferrer 2026
- Solemn procession of Saint Vincent Ferrer
- Ancient mercantile fair of Montemarcone
- Community initiatives by the Festival Committee
Prices Saint Vincent Ferrer 2026
Practical information — Saint Vincent Ferrer
How to get there
Montemarcone is a hamlet of Atessa (CH), in Abruzzo. By car, it can be reached via the SS652 Fondovalle Sangro, taking the Atessa exit and following signs for Montemarcone. The nearest train station is Atessa (Sangritana line); the main airport is Pescara (Abruzzo Airport), about an hour away.
Information
Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer, Montemarcone — tel. +39 0872 895409, email [email protected]. Free admission.
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Where does it take place — Saint Vincent Ferrer
Chiesa di San Vincenzo Ferrer, Montemarcone