Festivals and Celebrations

The Donut Festival and Palio of Saint Anselmo (Sagra del Biscotto and Palio di Sant’Anselmo) takes place every year in April in Bomarzo, the charming center of Tuscia known for one of the most famous natural monuments in Lazio, the Parco dei Mostri.

The event is organized in honor of the town's patron saint Sant’Anselmo, celebrated on April 24, and attracts onlookers and enthusiasts from all over the province.

The palio has very ancient traditions and is one of the most famous in Italy, preceded by a series of rituals in which the whole community takes part. One of many is the presentation of the "Palio in the Church" (Palio in Chiesa).

The Palio is the drape disputed by the various districts, and is created every year by a local artist.

The "Palio di Sant’Anselmo" has so much following that it is not rare to find every year some riders of the Palio of Siena competing in one of the five districts that participate in the race.

To complete the bouquet of events throughout the duration of the Palio are held parades and historical re-enactments in medieval costume that trace the history and traditions of the village.

Since 1973 together with the Palio di Sant’Anselmo, the Pro Loco of Bomarzo has organized the biscuit festival, a celebration to celebrate one of the typical products of the village, which is prepared only for the Palio.

The Bomarzo biscuit resembles in shape and size a donut, its recipe is very ancient and is handed down from mother to daughter.

In April the town of Marta turns into a small Far West for the edition of Marta Country & Lake.

An event for the whole family full of events and lots of fun all with a western theme.

From educational farms to Western riding, during the day it is possible to participate in the many themed activities and taste the typical products (and not) of the beautiful territory of Viterbo.

Three days of relaxation on the shores of Lake Bolsena.

The patron saint of the town, Saint Mark, is celebrated on the 25th of April with traditional religious rites and a town fair dedicated the agricultural tradition of the Roman Countryside.
The day starts with the morning mass in honour of the saint, at its end the statue of the saint is carried out in a procession through the town. During the whole day of celebrations you can visit the fair, the many stalls and markets that are present for the occasion. From artisanal objects to organic products, a weekend to immerse yourself in nature and the traditional festive spirit of this town in the province of Rome.

The sacred re-enactment and procession of Good Friday in Palestrina is an important appointment of the local community.

The steps of the life of Christ are retraced among the ancient streets of the historic centre, transformed into a real stage with hundreds of extras.

For this initiative, young people, men, women and children are transformed in the days of Holy Week into actors to interpret the roles of the characters of the Bible and the Gospel.

The historical-religious drama of the Passion of Jesus Christ is re-enacted live and for this event the scenery, the costumes and the lights transform the historical centre into a stage.

Among the important folk traditions, the historical re-enactment of the passion of Jesus Christ in the evocative setting of the historic centre of Cerveteri is one of the most awaited events by the citizens of this Roman village.

After the mass carried out in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the historic procession joins the religious procession with the Madonna Addolorata carried on their shoulders by the confreres of the SS. Sacrament.

The procession winds through the streets of the ancient town with a procession accompanying Christ along the Via Crucis.

The route takes about 2 kilometers and ends with the crucifixion and deposition of the body of Christ on the staircase that leads to Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, in an atmosphere of strong emotion for the whole population.

The performance is attended by about 100 figures including Roman soldiers on horseback and on foot, the people, the Sanhedrin and numerous other characters who stage the historical re-enactment of the trial of Jesus.

Every year the historical procession receives great public approval.

Montefiascone by Maurizio Crescentini

The inhabitants of Montefiascone celebrate the Passion of Christ with a historical procession made up of over one hundred characters in period clothes.

On the evening of Good Friday parade through the streets of the town for the passion procession.

The procession starts from the church of San Bartolomeo and runs through the streets of the historic centre, up to the square in front of the Cathedral of Santa Margheritaere.

Here the sacred performance of the Crucifixion of Christ takes place.

On the evening of Good Friday in Cellere the inhabitants of this village of Viterbo province take part in a procession in period clothes for the historical re-enactment of the Passion of Christ.

For the occasion, the town is set up by scenery and the procession passes through the streets of the historic center, covering the whole country.

During the Via Crucis, Jesus is flanked by the pious women, the high priests, the maids, the robbers and the apostles.

The final moment of the re-enactment is the crucifixion of Jesus, placed on the magnificent hill of the Farnese castle.

In Carbognano the celebrations of Holy Week culminate with the solemn Good Friday Procession along the streets of the ancient village.

In the procession the coffin of the dead Christ is transported followed by that of Maria Addolorata, and there are hooded men called "Ntencheli" (Cirenei) who carry crosses, lampposts, chains.

The procession, the same every year, takes place along the streets of the town, appropriately embellished with thousands of natural lights and torches to recreate the charm of a unique event.