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Republic of San Marino
San Marino.
Event · Institutional festivity

Festa di
Sant'Agata

On 5 February the Republic celebrates Saint Agatha, co-patron of the State together with Saint Marinus, and commemorates the Liberation from Cardinal Alberoni concluded in 1740. Holy Masses, the flag raising at Public Palace and the procession from Borgo Maggiore to the Basilica of Saint Marinus are the main rites.

Recurrence
5 Feb.
Since
1740
Flag raising
14:30

Institutional calendar · Sources: Regency of the Republic and official channels of the event

Procession of the Festa di Sant'Agata with the Authorities of the Republic of San Marino
5 February · Borgo Maggiore
Procession towards the Basilica of Saint Marinus
§ I — 1740

The night of freedom

The Festa di Sant'Agata is tied to a precise episode of Sammarinese history. At the end of 1739 Cardinal Giulio Alberoni had extended his authority over the territory of the Republic, in an attempt to bring it back under the direct control of the Holy See. The resistance of the Great and General Council and the mobilisation of the local clergy led to the arrival of a papal inquiry headed by Cardinal Enriquez.

On 5 February 1740 the envoy restored to the Republic the autonomy and freedom threatened in the preceding months. Since then, every year, on the same day, the civil recurrence of the Liberation intertwines with the religious feast of Saint Agatha, patron saint of Catania and from that date co-patron of San Marino.

§ II — Programme

The day hour by hour

Programme of the Festa di Sant'Agata celebrations in San Marino
Time Celebration Place
08:00 · 09:00 · 10:00Morning Holy MassesCrypt of Saint Agatha, Basilica of Saint Marinus
11:30Solemn Mass with the RegencyCrypt of Saint Agatha
14:30Flag raising with the Uniformed CorpsPublic Palace · Piazza della Libertà
14:30Departure of the processionBorgo Maggiore
15:00Arrival of the Regency at the BasilicaBasilica of Saint Marinus
15:30Te Deum, National Anthem and blessingBasilica of Saint Marinus

Reference times · The annual programme is published by the Regency

§ III — Symbols

Flag, Te Deum, anthem

Three elements mark the civil moment of the festivity. The flag raising at Public Palace takes place in the presence of the Uniformed Corps of the Republic, in the silence of the square. The Te Deum sung in the Basilica is a thanksgiving for the freedom regained. The National Anthem is performed at the end of the ceremony, before the blessing.

The Regency escort is provided by the Guard of Honour. In Borgo Maggiore the procession crosses Piazza Grande and takes the road that climbs to the historic centre; the Authorities reach the Basilica shortly after 15:00.

«On 5 February the Titano recalls, every year, that the freedom of the Republic is not a given, but a repeated conquest.»
— Editorial team, sanmarinosite.com
§ IV — Continue

Related to the recurrence

Monuments

Basilica of Saint Marinus

The Republic's main place of worship, seat of the Crypt of Saint Agatha.
Institutions

Captains Regent

The two Heads of State of the Republic, present at the solemn Mass of Saint Agatha.
History

Statutes

The fundamental laws of the Republic, defended during the months of the 1739-1740 crisis.
FAQ · Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sant'Agata celebrated in San Marino?
Saint Agatha is co-patron of the Republic together with Saint Marinus, founder of the State. 5 February also commemorates the Liberation of the Republic from the occupation by Cardinal Alberoni, resolved in 1740 through the intervention of Cardinal Enriquez, sent by the Holy See.
Since when has the Liberation been celebrated?
Since 1740, the year in which the Republic regained its autonomy after the months of pressure exerted by Cardinal Alberoni. The recurrence is among the oldest institutional festivities of the State.
What are the times of the Festa di Sant'Agata?
The Holy Masses are celebrated in the Crypt of Saint Agatha at 8, 9 and 10. The solemn Mass with the Authorities is held at 11:30. The flag raising at Public Palace is at 14:30 in the presence of the Uniformed Corps. The procession from Borgo Maggiore sets off at 14:30; the rite in the Basilica with Te Deum begins at 15:30.
Where do the celebrations take place?
In the Crypt and in the Basilica of Saint Marinus in the historic centre of City of San Marino, with the procession departing from Borgo Maggiore. The flag raising takes place in Piazza della Libertà in front of the Public Palace.
Is participation open?
Yes. The religious and civil celebrations are open to the public. Piazza della Libertà during the flag raising and the Basilica during the solemn Mass have regulated access for security reasons.