The Festival of the Sun: the event that celebrates the Tower of Odorisio in Santa Vittoria in Matenano

Santa Vittoria in Matenano is a charming village embraced by nature in the heart of the Marche region, in the province of Fermo. Quiet and small (it has just 1,200 inhabitants), it is actually rich in important historical evidences, including churches and monuments, which date back in particular (but not only) to the Middle Ages and represent the legacy of the Farfensi Monks who were there for several centuries. It is also a very active and lively center, where various evocative and engaging events are held throughout the year.

In this paper we would like to pay homage to one of these events, the Festival of the Sun, and one of the above-mentioned historical landmarks, the Tower of Odorisio, and explain what connects them.

The Tower of Odorisio is undoubtedly the symbol of Santa Vittoria in Matenano, an imposing structure that towers over the beautiful medieval historic center and imbues it with a certain aura of solemnity.

It is an important legacy of the Farfensi Monks, a Benedictine order that stayed for centuries and essentially gave birth to the town, contributing to its development in agriculture, arts and crafts and architecture. Having fled the Saracen invasions from the abbey of Farfa, present-day Fara Sabina, in the 800s A.D. they took refuge on the Matenano and founded a new monastery there, which soon became the Presidiato Farfense in the Marche.

One of the figures who succeeded to the command of the Farfense monastery that is worth mentioning is precisely Abbot Odorisio, a capable and determined leader who in 1235 wanted the construction of the Tower. This certainly had a representative function, but also a defensive one, since it allowed sightings of possible enemies. The magnificence of the structure is therefore dedicated to the man who wanted it.

Today it is also symbolically identified as the gateway to the town, because through its portal one enters the heart of the beautiful historic center. And it is precisely this portal that becomes the active protagonist of the Festival of the Sun.

The Festival of the Sun has been celebrated since 2017 during the first week of August. At this time of year, the setting sun aligns perfectly with the portal of the Tower, creating spectacular and enchanting light displays.

This magical event is no coincidence, but rather the result of a deliberate urban planning decision dating back to the construction of the Tower in 1235.

Over time, however, the residents of Santa Vittoria in Matenano had lost awareness of this extraordinary natural phenomenon, witnessing it without recognizing its original meaning.

It was in 2017 that the keen eye of Architect Stefania Bellabarba brought renewed attention to this remarkable occurrence.

It is thanks to her that the idea of a citywide celebration was born—one that could bring the entire community together in a moment of shared wonder and celebration. Thus, the Tramonto di Odorisio (Sunset of Odorisio) came to life.

“The Sunset of Odorisio” or "The Festival of the Sun" is thus a now well-known phenomenon of the environs of Santa Vittoria in Matenano, which every year brings the citizens together in an embrace of light and magic and attracts more and more tourists.

The phenomenon of the sun setting exactly in the doorway at the base of the civic tower is witnessed in the first days of August. Around 8 p.m., Corso Matteotti, the main street of the old center, lights up and a path is traced in the presence of those who witness it. As the sun sets, it is possible to participate in tastings and aperitifs, as well as performances, conferences and meetings with historians and scholars, and, when evening falls, stargazing. Finally, singers and musicians liven things up, creating a real soundtrack for this spectacle. The event conceived by Architect Bellabara, is also supported by  the sponsorship of the municipality and the Marche region, and the various Rotary Clubs in the province of Fermo.

After eight centuries, the Tower of Odorisio once again embraces its people, honoring the will of the Abbot who, in doing so, left his blessing to future generations. A blessing that—after the  earthquake of 2016—is finally bringing people back to this charming village perched atop Colle Matenano.

And so, we can truly say: it’s working.