The main patron saint of Faenza is the Blessed Virgin of Grace, whose feast traditionally fell on the second Sunday of May and is now moved forward to the preceding Saturday; the secondary patron is Saint Peter Damian. In 1631, during a fresh outbreak of plague that struck the town, the sacred image of the Virgin was solemnly crowned, testifying to popular devotion towards this town protector; from 1762 the feast was enriched with further traditions, handed down to this day.
Faenza is also known for the Palio del Niballo, its main historical re-enactment, held on the fourth Sunday of June: established in 1959, it draws inspiration from the ancient medieval jousts documented in the town since the 12th century. The Borgo Durbecco, an outer extension of the town that grew up beyond the Lamone river east of the town walls, preserves its earliest settlements from as far back as the 11th century, while among the most significant places of worship stand out the church of Santa Maria ad Nives, the church of the Servi, that of Sant'Umiltà and that of San Bartolomeo.
