THE TERRITORY

ARTOCRIA

Artocria is an event in Cupra Marittima that embodies a throwback to Ancient Roman times. Born in 2012 thanks to the Cupra History Group, Artocria stages scenes and re-enactments from daily life in Ancient Rome, such as parades, fights, dances, shows, culture and gastronomy, where the protagonists are representative characters of the era, such as gladiators, priestesses, merchants and slaves.

CELEBRATION OF SAINT BASSO PATRON SAINT OF CUPRA MARITTIMA

In Cupra Marittima we celebrate Saint Basso, bishop of Nice and martyr, on three different days throughout the year: on the 5th of December, on the occasion of his martyrdom; on the 1st of July, which commemorates the discovery of the remains of the saint and the commitment of the Cuprensi people to prevent the removal of the body by sailors from Nice, Venice and Termoli; on Easter Monday, which honors the transfer of the body from the Pieve of San Basso to Civita a Marano.

CABARET AMORE MIO

Famous Cabaret festival in Grottammare. (August) www.cabaretamoremio.it

CINEMA ALL'APERTO

During the months of July and August.

TEMPLARIA

This festival is dedicated to the origin of the Knights Templar, Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ. The roads of Castignano provide a glance to medieval life, 900 years back, through open-air theatres, shows and food, typical of the 18th and 19th century.

THE SACRA GIUBILARE

The parade of the Sacra Giubilare recalls the docking of Pope Alexander III on the shore of Grottammare, after a brutal storm in the 12th century. The historical re-enactment, with folkloristic and religious traits, is celebrated every year on the night of the 1st of July with a parade "from the past to the present", that strolls in the alleys of the town, with about 700 participants taking part.

GIOSTRA DELLA QUINTANA

Famosa rievocazione storica medioevale con giostra equestre che si tiene ad Ascoli Piceno. Prima e dopo la giostra, per le vie del centro, sfila il corteo di tutti i figuranti del torneo cavalleresco. (secondo sabato di luglio e prima domenica di agosto)

CAVALCATA DELL'ASSUNTA

The most ancient historical re-enactment in Italy takes place in the city of Fermo, and it's called Palio dell'Assunta, a horse race in celebration of the Santa Vergine Maria Assunta in Cielo (Holy Virgin Mary Assumed in heaven), patron saint of the city. It is celebrated with processions, religious celebrations and typical tournaments of the late Middle Ages.

CAVALLO DI FUOCO

Cavallo di Fuoco (Fire Horse) is a folkloristic festival with historic features, it's one of the most ancient traditions in Italy and it takes place on the Octave Day of Easter in the Belvedere del Piceno, Ripatransone. It consists in a pyrotechnic show that involves a fake horse stuffed with fireworks that brightens up the town by going around the alleys. The ride of the Cavallo di Fuoco is followed by choruses intoned by young people. The historical re-enactment dates back to 1682, on the day when a blaster from Atri crossed the public square, emitting fires on horseback, to celebrate the Madonna of San Giovanni.

CASTAGNE AL BORGO

During the first weekend of November, Cupra Marittima old town travels back to Medieval times. Castagne al Borgo (Chestnuts in town) is a festival with traditional peasant food, chestnuts, fried cheese, roasted lamb skewers, pork ribs, oil sampling, beer and wine tasting, enhanced by buskers, jugglers, shows and ancient mysteries. An evocative atmosphere not to be missed!

CARNEVALE DI OFFIDA

Offida Carnival is regarded as a traditional established ritual, handed down through generations. The beginning of the celebrations is marked by the Congrega del Ciorpento brass band during the Domenica degli Amici (Friends Sunday), approximatively two weeks before Carnival. Other must-see events are the Domenica dei Parenti (Relatives Sunday), the Veglionissimi at the Serpente Aureo Theatre (celebration that lasts all night long) and the children's masquerade during Fat Thursday (Thursday before Carnival). Another famous celebration is Lu Bov Fint (The Fake Bull) on the Friday before Carnival, which consists in chasing a fake bull (it used to be real in the past) throughout the town. The celebrations end with the Vlurd Parade during Fat Tuesday (Carnival day): cane bundles stuffed with straw are set on fire and brought from people wearing the “guazzarò” (typical Carnival dress) in an evocative medieval atmosphere.