Ancona, August 17, 2026 – “A fantastic day with a beautiful Sea Festival. Happy Ferragosto to everyone.” Concise but clear, the statement by Marcello Nicolini, President of the La Baia Consortium, representing Saturday’s day at Portonovo. A very intense day with an influx beyond all expectations. Torre and Lago Grande parking lots were full at 6 in the morning while by 8 the uphill parking and the private one in front of the Emilia restaurant were already full. And yesterday it was repeated with a sold-out Sunday. As usual, cars and motorcycles were parked on the forest paths where every nook was occupied.
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The traditional procession
The only moment of peace was the traditional Feast of the Assumption which saw the procession from the Piazzetta to the Church of Santa Maria with the image of Stella Maris, preceded by the Torrette musical band and followed by a large number of Anconetani and tourists. Civil and military authorities were present. “A tradition that renews itself – said Mayor Daniele Silvetti – which sees the great participation of the entire community. An important feature of our villages and our territory.”
Presiding over the Eucharistic celebration was the Archbishop of Ancona-Osimo, Msgr. Angelo Spina: “This feast – he said – makes us look to the sky where the Madonna was taken in spirit and body, giving us a sure hope.” After the mass, the bishop, boarding Edoardo Rubini’s boat, reached the Madonnina del Trave where he left a laurel wreath on the waves for all the victims of the sea. From there he flanked the entire coast up to the pier blessing tourists, operators, and bathers.
“An exceptional Ferragosto”
Bathers packed like sardines on the free beaches of Ramona and Clandestino where crossing them required going through the water. “An exceptional Ferragosto – specifies Federica Rubini of the Emilia restaurant – with good weather and many tourists from all over the world, for the first time also Japanese. Who had ever seen them here. The problem is too many people, Portonovo can no longer support it, we can no longer satisfy all requests. The hope is that Portonovo can find a balance between the strength of its attractive beauty and the people who enjoy it.”
All operators very satisfied. “Great turnout already from last night – highlights Roberto Bartolucci of the Kiosk – with many young people who waited for dawn on the beach. Our venue is going beyond expectations and makes us understand that this was the proposal missing in Portonovo.” Giacomo Giacchetti of the Il Molo restaurant is already thinking about post-Ferragosto: “a beautiful season – he states – with many Italian and foreign tourists. We have bookings through August and September.”
“You cannot exceed the natural capacity of the bay”
Putting the dots on the i’s is Guido Guidi of Seebay: “The bay has a natural capacity that we cannot exceed. The risk is turning success into a problem, with overcrowding, fires, and damage to nature. The bay is a rare jewel and must grow in quality not quantity. It takes an act of courage from the institutions that must make unpopular decisions but that would allow everyone to enjoy Portonovo. And from the operators, who instead of looking at the result of the single season must have a long-term vision.”
Saturday’s day did not lack anything and the core of the National Rescue Society, coordinated by Edoardo Rubini, had to intervene to rescue a man who found himself in difficulty among the waves of the Gabbiani beach. The Rescue then recovered a turtle of about twelve kilos in the sea with its beak full of hooks. Brought ashore, it was entrusted to the care of the Cetacean Foundation.
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