Assisi’s religious feasts have their roots in very ancient traditions and capture the town’s more spiritual, mystic aspect.
The religious ceremonies, the processions along the town centre streets, and the rites and celebrations are all engrossing events that arouse emotions.
They often begin in order to commemorate significant moments in Assisi’s history or to pay tribute to its most well-known people, St. Francis (Italy’s Patron Saint) and St. Clare (founder of the first Order of women in the history of the Church).
The feasts in honour of St. Rufino and St. Clare, two important people in Assisi’s history and culture, are celebrated on the 11 and 12 August. On these two days, impressive fairs and processions pay homage to the two Saints.
Holy Week is one of the most evocative, joyful and well-attended moments in the year, during which the town reveals its beauty in full with exciting folk re-enactments.
The traditional event of Piatto di Sant’Antonio is held every year to keep the traditional Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot alive. During the festivities a traditional dish is offered known as Piatto di Sant’Antonio, which has become the symbol of gratitude to the Saint for having ended the plague epidemic.
The Pardon of Assisi, celebrated on 2 August, sees millions of pilgrims visit the Porziuncola in Santa Maria degli Angeli in their search for peace and forgiveness in order to feel closer to the evangelical life experienced by St. Francis and St. Clare.
The Festival of the Vow commemorates the liberation of the monastery of San Damiano and the town of Assisi from the Saracens thanks to St. Clare’s extraordinary act of faith in Jesus Christ, and is still strongly felt and very popular.
During Corpus Christi, Assisi is painted with the colours of the famous Infiorate: sensational floral images are created on a religious theme. All the inhabitants take part in decorating the streets with petals and flowers.
St. Francis is commemorated every 4 October throughout the country: in Assisi, the celebrations for Italy’s Patron Saint last several days and involve the entire town in religious events, awards, conferences and re-enactments.
