Ascension Fair

The Ascension Fair, the heart of the butteri tradition

Every year, around the time of the Ascension, Cisterna di Latina celebrates its most authentic identity with the Ascension Fair, an event that brings the ancient world of the butteri (Italian mounted herders) and the transhumance back to life. In the Agro Pontino, in the Province of Latina, this festival is rooted in a millennial tradition: the butteri, the mounted guardians of the herds that once grazed freely between the Maremma and the Pontine plains, are the heirs to a craft dating back to the Etruscan era.

From Augusto Imperiali to the challenge with Buffalo Bill

The history of the butteri of Cisterna is linked to a legendary episode: in 1890, when Buffalo Bill brought his Wild West Show to Italy, the butteri led by Augusto Imperiali accepted the challenge and tamed the American horses without being unseated, proving the superiority of their equestrian art based on respect for the animal. Since that feat, the city's pride has never waned: since 1993, the Association of Butteri of Cisterna and the Agro Pontino has preserved and passed on this heritage, and the Ascension Fair is its most heartfelt showcase.

Two days between Filetto and the city center

The event takes place in two symbolic locations. On Saturday, the Filetto woodland area hosts equestrian performances, games, and gymkhanas featuring the famous butteri, along with horses, ponies, Maremmana cattle, and the traditional 'barozza' cart. There is no shortage of historical archery, traditional wooden games, folk dance workshops with pizzica and tarantella, readings for children, and stalls featuring local crafts and food and wine.

The Tres Tabernae and the transhumance trails

One of the most evocative highlights is the guided tour of the Tres Tabernae archaeological site, an ancient post station along the Appian Way also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, reachable by shuttle from the train station. For nature lovers, the Fair also offers the "Along the Transhumance Trails" walk, a hiking route in the Tenuta di Torrecchia Vecchia with a visit to Lake Giulianello, following the ancient paths that shepherds once used to lead their herds to pasture.

A festival for the whole family

Between shows, flavors, and memories, the Ascension Fair is a popular festival that engages both adults and children and attracts numerous visitors to Cisterna di Latina every year. It is the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic piece of Lazio culture, where the bond between man, horse, and territory continues to thrive.