The feast of Our Lady of the Navy, potential co-patron saint of San Benedetto del Tronto, reflects the deep devotion of families of seafaring origin. Originally celebrated on July 2 inside the Marina Church, the festival was enhanced in 1870 with a procession and, from 1872, a fair. From 1880, the celebration was moved to the end of July, including civil and religious solemnities.
In parallel, “Our Lady of Mount Carmel” was celebrated every last Sunday in July with a procession limited initially to the “High Country” and later extended to the “Marina.” In the 1880s, due to the deterioration of the statue, the procession was suspended, but the civil festivities continued. With a new statue in 1895, the procession resumed, but was stopped for good in 1915 with the onset of the Great War.
The feast of Our Lady of the Marina continued to grow in importance, attracting many visitors thanks in part to the opening of the bathhouse. The celebrations were held over two days with events such as bicycle and horse races, music and lighting along Anchorage Avenue. A large procession with the statue of Our Lady passed through the city, culminating in fireworks.
After World War I, celebrations moved to the port area, with fireworks on the south pier. The festival resumed after World War II on July 29, 1945. Today, the feast of Our Lady of the Navy remains the main event of the San Benedetto summer.