Carnevalone Poggiano

A carnival born with the Unification of Italy

The Carnevalone Poggiano traces its roots back to 1861, the year Poggio Mirteto rose up against the papal government and secured its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy. Since then, this town in the lower Sabina, located in the province of Rieti, has celebrated a festival every winter that blends civic memory with popular joy. It is now considered one of the oldest and most continuous carnivals in the entire Lazio region, reaching its 162nd edition in 2026.

The heart of the festival: Piazza Martiri della Libertà

Everything revolves around the main square of the historic center, which transforms into an open-air stage for the day. The morning begins with the carnival market and food stalls, offering local dishes and traditional seasonal sweets. By noon, the square is packed, and around 11:00 AM, the most anticipated moment of the opening takes place: the arrival of His Majesty Carnevalone, accompanied by the Banda Nazionale Garibaldina and a DJ set.

Allegorical floats and masked groups

In the early afternoon, the parade begins: allegorical floats, decorated vehicles, masked groups, and individual or couple costumes make their way through the crowd. Participation is open to groups from neighboring Sabina towns, who spend months building their floats. The event concludes with an awards ceremony for the best creations. It is a heartfelt competition that involves entire communities and families, maintaining an authentic, artisanal spirit far removed from purely commercial tourism.

The moccoletti and the burning of His Majesty

As evening falls, the ritual that defines the Carnevalone takes place: the procession of the moccoletti—lit candles carried through the town streets—followed by the burning of the papier-mâché effigy. True to tradition since the very first edition, the puppet representing His Majesty Carnevalone is placed at the end of the main square and set ablaze at the end of the parade, while people dance in a circle around it. It is a cathartic gesture, marking the end of the time of transgression and the return to everyday life.

The Children's Carnival

The main event is complemented by a Sunday entirely dedicated to the little ones, the Children's Carnival, featuring a parade of individual, couple, and group masks, entertainment, a market, and stalls. It is an opportunity for families to experience the festival in a more relaxed atmosphere, without missing out on the music and colors of the historic center.

The Bruschetta Festival and the flavors of Sabina

The Carnevalone Poggiano is also a celebration of taste. Alongside stalls selling traditional fried sweets, the Bruschetta Festival takes place, featuring extra virgin olive oil from Sabina, a PDO product that represents the agricultural excellence of this corner of Lazio. Toasted bread, garlic, and a drizzle of fresh oil are enough to tell the story of a land defined by terraced olive groves and a millennial tradition of olive oil production.

Two carnivals in one town

Poggio Mirteto is a rarity: two distinct carnivals are celebrated here. Alongside the Carnevalone Poggiano, which takes place on the Sundays of Carnival, there is the famous Carnevalone Liberato, which falls during Lent and retains a distinctly satirical and anti-clerical character. Visitors to the town during this period can therefore witness two festivals with different spirits, yet rooted in the same historical event: the liberation of 1861.

Why visit

For those seeking an authentic carnival far from the major tourist circuits, the Carnevalone Poggiano is a delightful choice. The medieval village of Poggio Mirteto, with its walls and alleys, offers an intimate setting, while the surrounding Sabina region provides landscapes of olive groves and abbeys less than an hour from Rome. The festival is free to enter and takes place entirely outdoors, across the squares and streets of the center.