San Mamante Festival — Patronal Feast of Lizzano in Belvedere
The patron saint's feast in the heart of the Bologna Apennines, at the foot of Corno alle Scale
About San Mamante Festival
The patron saint's feast of Lizzano in Belvedere
In the heart of the upper Bologna Apennines, at the foot of the Corno alle Scale massif, the Municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere (Province of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna) annually celebrates its patron saint with the Festa di San Mamante. The event takes place on August 17th, in the height of summer, when the mountain village fills with residents, holidaymakers, and hikers who have come up to escape the heat of the plains.
San Mamante, the martyr venerated since antiquity
San Mamante (or San Mamete) is a Christian martyr from Melitene, Cappadocia, venerated since ancient times and chosen as the protector of this Apennine community. In Lizzano in Belvedere, devotion to the saint has been passed down from generation to generation: the statue of San Mamante, dating back to the early 20th century, is still carried in procession along the village streets, accompanied by the faithful and the local Coro San Mamante.
Between the sacred and community celebration
The day combines religious and convivial moments, following the typical pattern of Apennine patronal feasts. The morning is dedicated to the Solemn Holy Mass in the parish church and the procession with the statue of the saint; the rest of the day is enlivened by:
- Craft and farmers' markets with typical mountain products;
- Food stalls with mountain cuisine dishes, local sweets, and wines from the Bologna hills;
- Live music and evening entertainment for all ages;
- The unmissable lottery with a final prize draw.
A gateway to the Bologna Apennines
More than just a religious recurrence, the Festa di San Mamante is an opportunity to discover Lizzano in Belvedere and the Corno alle Scale area: a territory of beech woods, hiking trails, panoramic views of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, and authentic mountain gastronomy, from mushrooms to blueberries, from chestnuts to alpine cheeses. The patronal feast is the time of year when the community comes together and shares its mountain identity with visitors.
San Mamante Festival — edition 2026
The Festa di San Mamante 2026 will be held in Lizzano in Belvedere (Province of Bologna) on August 17th, on the day dedicated to the village's patron saint. The day will follow the traditional structure of the Apennine patronal feast, with the Solemn Holy Mass in the parish church, the procession with the historic statue of the saint through the streets of the center, craft and farmers' markets, and food stalls with mountain cuisine.
The detailed hourly program for the 2026 edition (times of masses, procession, evening entertainment, and lottery draw) will be announced by the Municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere and the Parish of San Mamante in the weeks before the feast. For updates, you can contact the IAT Office of Lizzano (tel. +39 0534 51052).
Programme San Mamante Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality and the Parish of San Mamante in the weeks preceding August 17th. The patronal day traditionally includes:
- Morning — opening of food stalls and craft/farmers' markets; Solemn Holy Mass in the parish church accompanied by the Coro San Mamante.
- Procession with the statue of San Mamante through the streets of the historic center.
- Afternoon — religious celebrations, markets, and tastings of typical Bologna mountain products.
- Evening — live music and entertainment, with the final lottery draw.
Precise times will be announced closer to the event.
Highlights San Mamante Festival 2026
- Solemn Holy Mass and procession with the statue of San Mamante.
- Craft and farmers' markets with typical products from the Bologna Apennines.
- Food stalls featuring mountain cuisine, local sweets, and wines from the Bologna hills.
- Evening live music and lottery.
Prices San Mamante Festival 2026
Practical information — San Mamante Festival
When
The Festa di San Mamante is held on August 17th every year, the patron saint's day.
Where
Historic center of Lizzano in Belvedere (BO), CAP 40042, with the parish church of San Mamante as the focal point of religious celebrations.
How to get there
By car from Bologna along the SS64 Porrettana to Silla, then the road to Lizzano in Belvedere; by train to Porretta Terme (Bologna–Pistoia line) and then by bus towards the upper Apennines. In summer, the area is a destination for hiking tourism related to Corno alle Scale.
Information
IAT Office of Lizzano in Belvedere, tel. +39 0534 51052 — IAT Vidiciatico tel. +39 0534 53159. Free admission to celebrations and markets.
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Where does it take place — San Mamante Festival
Chiesa parrocchiale di San Mamante e centro storico