Festa del Mare – When the Sea Takes Centre Stage in Le Marche

Around August 15th, Ferragosto, some coastal towns in Le Marche celebrate the Festa del Mare – a festival dedicated to the sea. These events often feature a solemn mass, a boat procession out to sea, a ceremony in memory of those who lost their lives at sea, and sometimes a food festival serving local seafood specialities.

What is a Festa del Mare?

The origins of the Festa del Mare are varied and go beyond Le Marche. The earliest roots are probably in ancient pagan rites, when fishermen would seek the gods’ protection for their dangerous work. With Christianity, the prayers shifted to God, the Virgin Mary, or specific saints. On the Adriatic coast, the Festa del Mare also often coincides with the annual fishing ban in July or August, introduced to protect fish stocks. These festivals, held just before the ban begins, are a way to mark the moment together as a community.

Many celebrations are dedicated to a saint. Around Ferragosto, they are often in honour of the Virgin Mary, whose feast day — the Assumption — falls on August 15th. Others commemorate a town’s patron saint. But there are also purely secular celebrations, or ones that take place as early as July. Two years ago, Elke visited two Festa del Mare events with very different atmospheres: one in the small local beach town of Falconara Marittima, and one in the large fishing port of Civitanova Marche.

Festa del Mare in Falconara Marittima – A Local Celebration of Faith

The day began early on the beach in Falconara. I arrived well ahead of time, not knowing the exact location. As the beach bars and bagnos were just opening, I treated myself to a breakfast with a sea view before setting off along the sand to find the event.

Eventually, I spotted tents and a makeshift altar set up for the morning mass on the beach. Little by little, people arrived and took their seats. From the sea, boats came ashore for the occasion: an old fishing boat with a lateen sail, a dragon boat, and a small vessel decorated with colourful flags.

Sailors joined the congregation, saluting before the altar and the statue of the Virgin Mary.

After mass, the crowd dispersed, talking about lunch. I followed suit, returning in the evening to the nearby beach of Rocca Mare, where the boats carrying the Madonna were scheduled to arrive.

Here, I made a classic mistake: I went for dinner first. My meal lasted longer than expected, and by the time I returned, it was already dark. The boats had arrived, and the Madonna was being carried ashore. I still caught the land procession, which first took the statue to a memorial for those lost at sea and then to a sports ground for the closing mass.

The photos didn’t capture the atmosphere perfectly, but this short video comes close:

It was a moving, intimate celebration — deeply local, without big show elements, and focused entirely on the religious tradition.

Civitanova Marche – San Marone Takes to the Sea

The second event I attended was in Civitanova Marche, starting in the afternoon with mass at the Cristo Re church — a striking, modern building whose bell tower also functions as a lighthouse.

This time, the celebration honoured San Marone, not the Virgin Mary. San Marone was a Roman who converted to Christianity in the 2nd century AD and preached in the area of Picenum (then home to the Picenes, later assimilated into the Roman Empire). His Christian mission displeased the Roman consul Aurelian, who ordered his brutal martyrdom — believed to have taken place in the Val di Chienti. Today, San Marone’s relics rest in Civitanova, of which he is the patron saint.

After mass, a colourful procession carried the relics from the church to the harbour. There, San Marone’s casket was carefully loaded onto a large fishing boat, greeted by a crowd of onlookers.

The boat set out to sea, accompanied by prayers broadcast over loudspeakers and followed by a small flotilla of fishing boats, sailing vessels, and motorboats. From the pier, I had a clear view as the procession moved further out.

At sea, a wreath was laid in memory of those who had died on the water. From shore, it wasn’t easy to see, but people waited patiently at the pier for the boats to return.

Back at the harbour, the casket was placed — quite unceremoniously — on the back of a pickup truck for the short journey back to the church.

The mood here was more festive and lively than in Falconara — as you can see in this short clip:

Afterwards, I wandered through the harbour festival, where food stalls, food trucks, children’s games, and the old market hall buzzed with activity. I had hoped to eat at the market hall, but it was already full, so I found a cosy seafood restaurant nearby for dinner before heading home.

Festa del Mare – Where to Experience it in Le Marche:

You can find Festa del Mare celebrations in various coastal towns, including: Falconara Marittima, San Benedetto del Tronto, Ancona, Fano, Portonovo, Porto San Giorgio und Civitanova Marche.

Many take place in July or early August, but it is still worth it to check the whole programme!

Whether solemn or festive, religious or purely local tradition, the Festa del Mare is a beautiful way to experience the deep connection between Le Marche’s coastal towns and the sea that sustains them.