Anagni Medieval and Renaissance Theatre Festival

A historic festival in the City of Popes

The Anagni Medieval and Renaissance Theatre Festival is one of the most prestigious and long-standing theatre events in Lazio. Established in the 1990s and reaching its 32nd edition in 2025, the festival enlivens the end of the Anagni summer each year, transforming the historic centre into an open-air theatre. The main stage is the spectacular Piazza Innocenzo III, framed by the cathedral and the papal palaces of a city that once served as a residence for pontiffs, earning it the title of City of Popes.

Anagni, where theatre meets history

Anagni, located in the heart of the Province of Frosinone and the Ciociaria area, preserves one of the best-maintained medieval centres in Lazio: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata with its famous crypt, the Palace of Boniface VIII, and the stone alleyways provide a natural setting for the performances. The festival's formula is clear: to stage the great repertoire of medieval and Renaissance theatre alongside modern reinterpretations inspired by that era, all within the very places where history was made.

Programming and performers

Each edition features a programme of evening performances entrusted to nationally renowned actors and directors. The 2025 edition, titled Sperare. Il teatro come arte del rinascere o del ricominciare (Hoping. Theatre as the art of rebirth or starting over), featured artists such as Matthias Martelli, Vinicio Marchioni, Neri Marcorè, Amanda Sandrelli, and Giuseppe Pambieri, with works ranging from Dante to Shakespeare, and from Manzoni to the tradition of sacred mysteries and popular farces. The artistic direction is led by Giacomo Zito, with theoretical and critical direction by Gaetano D'Onofrio.

• Where: Piazza Innocenzo III and other locations in the historic centre (cathedral, cloister of the Palace of Boniface VIII)
• When: In the latter part of August, evening performances
• Admission: Traditionally free until capacity is reached
• Repertoire: Medieval and Renaissance classics, contemporary reinterpretations, meetings, and presentations

A cultural experience in Lazio

Beyond the individual performances, the festival is an invitation to discover Anagni and its historical legacy. Watching a tragedy or a farce in the square overlooking the cathedral on a warm August evening means experiencing theatre in its most ancient and communal form. This is why the festival has become a benchmark for theatre enthusiasts and visitors looking to combine culture with the discovery of the Ciociaria and the lesser-known corners of Lazio.