Summer Polenta Festival of San Costanzo

The oldest festival in the Marche, even in summer

The Polenta Festival of San Costanzo is considered the oldest festival in the Marche region: it has surpassed 200 editions and has its roots in the 19th century. Traditionally held on the first Sunday of Lent, in March, for some years now the Pro Loco has decided to revive it in a summer version, with a repeat in July, to offer the numerous tourists from the Fano coast and those visiting the hinterland the opportunity to participate in this popular ritual. The summer version retains the spirit of the original: the absolute star is the polenta, cooked according to the ancient recipe of the master carters.

The carters' ritual and polenta in copper pots

The heart of the event is the preparation of polenta as it was done in the past. Corn flour is cooked over a high flame in large copper pots, stirred for a long time, and then spread on characteristic panare, large wooden trays. The polenta is then seasoned with the traditional ragù, a recipe passed down through generations. This custom was revived at the beginning of the 20th century by the carters of San Costanzo, who stopped in the village during their long journeys: from that convivial gesture, the festival was born, which still attracts thousands of visitors today.

A festival in the historic center

The festival enlivens the historic center of San Costanzo and particularly Piazza Perticari, overlooking the civic tower, the collegiate church, and the ancient Malatestian walls. Around the Pro Loco's food stalls, a rich supporting program unfolds: performances by folk groups, live music, art exhibitions, enthusiasts' gatherings, hobby and craft markets. There is also activities for children, with creative workshops, face painting, carousels, and shows, making the Polenta Festival an event for all ages.

Between the Metauro and Cesano valleys

San Costanzo is a small municipality of about 5,000 inhabitants in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region, perched on a hill at 150 meters above sea level between the Metauro and Cesano valleys, in the immediate hinterland of Fano. The summer festival is therefore also an excellent opportunity to discover a village rich in history, a few kilometers from the Adriatic coast beaches, and to savor the authentic hospitality of a community that proudly preserves its traditions.