Waiting for the Patron Saint

Waiting for the Patron Saint, the popular preview of Camerino's festival

In the heart of the historic center of Camerino, in the province of Macerata, the Piazzetta di Via Farnese transforms for three days into a small open-air stage. Aspettando lu Santo Patrono is the festival that symbolically opens the long month of May in Camerino, anticipating the solemn celebrations in honor of San Venanzio, the city's patron saint, and the historic Corsa alla Spada e Palio.

A community festival in the heart of the town

The event stems from the convivial spirit of Camerino's terzieri (districts) — Sossanta, Di Mezzo, and Muralto — which have always enlivened city life during the patronal period. Via Farnese, historically linked to the Terziere di Sossanta, hosts the taverns where you can taste traditional Marche dishes in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere. It is an event designed for gathering: families, young people, and the numerous students of the University of Camerino (Unicam) mingle at the tables, between courses and toasts.

Music, stornelli, and popular games

The program alternates gastronomic moments and entertainment. It ranges from live music by local bands to stornellatori who revive the popular singing tradition, up to popular games and a football tournament dedicated to children. The evenings end with the most lively music from the DJ sets, which transform the square into a meeting point for young people until late at night.

The link with San Venanzio and the Corsa alla Spada

Aspettando lu Santo Patrono is not an isolated event, but the prelude to one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the Marche. The patronal feast of San Venanzio, set for May 18th, and the Corsa alla Spada e Palio recall the lordship of the Da Varano family and the centuries-old devotion of the Camerino community. The challenge between the three terzieri, the historical costume pageant, and the race through the town's streets represent the culmination of weeks of preparation: Aspettando lu Santo Patrono is the moment when the city begins to warm up its engines and breathe the festive air.

Why participate

• Experience the authentic conviviality of the Camerino terzieri taverns.
• Listen to live music, traditional stornelli, and DJ sets in a single setting.
• Discover the historic center of a town in the Macerata Apennines in full swing.
• Get into the spirit of the patronal celebrations before the Corsa alla Spada e Palio.

For those visiting the Marche in spring, it is the ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in the popular traditions of the hinterland, far from the most beaten tourist routes.