Celebrations in Honor of Maria Santissima Avvocata Nostra

Vicovaro's most important feast

The celebrations in honor of Maria Santissima Avvocata Nostra are the main festival of Vicovaro, an ancient village overlooking the Aniene Valley within the Monti Lucretili Regional Natural Park, in the province of Rome. Every year, between late August and early September, the town prepares for the festivities centered around the first Sunday of September: illuminations light up the historic center, the Tempietto di San Giacomo Maggiore, and the church of San Pietro Apostolo, while Piazza San Pietro transforms into a large open-air stage.

The 1796 miracle and the cult of Avvocata Nostra

The cult is rooted in an extraordinary event. On July 22, 1796, the painting of the Virgin, created in 1738 by artist Giovanni Tiga, moved its eyes before the faithful—one of the famous Marian miracles that occurred in the Papal States during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. Local tradition recalls further manifestations of the miracle in 1863, 1931, and 1954. Since then, the Madonna, venerated as «Avvocata Nostra» (Our Advocate), has been the heart of Vicovaro's religious identity, and her image is kept in the sanctuary located in the town center.

Two weeks of celebrations between faith and entertainment

Organized by the Festival Committee with the support of the community and the Municipality of Vicovaro, the feast traditionally spans about two weeks. The calendar weaves together religious moments—the translation of the miraculous image, solemn masses, and choral singing by the Santa Cecilia choir—with a dense secular program: orchestra and band concerts, musical tributes, salsa and group dance evenings, children's entertainment, majorette parades, sports tournaments, and shows for all ages. Recent editions have featured artists such as Demo Morselli and Marcello Cirillo, Gianpiero Marino, and Enrico Capuano with his folk-rock pizzica.

The procession and closing rites

The most solemn moment is the procession through the town streets: the sacred image of the Madonna is carried on shoulders, followed by all the confraternities of Vicovaro in a parade that involves the entire community. The final day includes a parade for the fallen, a solemn mass—often presided over by religious authorities from the Diocese of Tivoli—and finally, the fireworks display and the drawing of the charity lottery, which funds the Committee's activities.

Gastronomy and community

Throughout the festivities, food stalls offer the flavors of local Aniene Valley cuisine, while market stalls and volunteers bring the squares to life. It is a grassroots festival, supported by the offerings and commitment of the people of Vicovaro, which every summer also attracts many visitors from neighboring towns and Romans on vacation.

A village to discover in Lazio

The festival is also an opportunity to visit Vicovaro: the octagonal Tempietto di San Giacomo Maggiore, a 15th-century jewel; the San Cosimato convent overlooking the Aniene river with its hermit caves linked to Saint Benedict; and the views of the Monti Lucretili. Less than an hour from Rome, the village offers a perfect blend of spirituality, popular traditions of the Lazio region, and nature.