Ciambella al Mosto Festival

A festival born from the must of Marino's vineyards

The Ciambella al Mosto Festival is the event that, every third Sunday of October, transforms the historic center of Marino into a large open-air workshop dedicated to the most iconic pastry of the Castelli Romani. We are in the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the heart of the wine-growing Lazio region, just a few kilometers from the capital: here, white grape must is not only the raw material for Marino DOC wine but also the ingredient that gives its name, color, and fragrance to a traditional pastry of popular origin.

What is the ciambella al mosto

The recipe is disarmingly simple and, for that very reason, difficult to execute to perfection: flour, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, raisins, brewer's yeast, salt, and above all grape must, which replaces almost entirely the liquid part of the dough. The result is a pastry with a soft texture, not unlike the Roman maritozzo, but richer, fruitier, and with a sweet-acidic note that comes directly from the vineyard. Tradition dates its production back to the 17th century, when local families would use the grape harvest must to prepare a festive treat at home. Today, the ciambella is protected by the Consortium for the Protection of the Ciambella al Mosto of Marino and recognized with the De.Co., the municipal designation that certifies its bond with the territory.

How the day unfolds

The festival occupies the main axis of the village: Corso Trieste, Piazza San Barnaba with its 18th-century basilica, and Piazza della Repubblica, home to the monumental Fountain of the Four Moors. From the morning, artisan stalls and a children's area open; by mid-morning, folk groups and bands parade, while at noon the traditional blessing of the ciambelle takes place on the basilica's parvis.

• Free tasting of the ciambelle offered by the bakeries belonging to the Consortium, in the late afternoon.
• "Ciambella of the Year" competition, with a jury awarding the best product of the edition.
• Craft market and producer stands along Corso Trieste.
• Guided tours of the city's monuments and tastings of Marino DOC wine.
• Live music, street performances, and fire artists in the evening, in Piazza San Barnaba.

The bond with the Grape Festival

The Ciambella al Mosto arrives promptly after the Marino Grape Festival, the city's most famous event, known throughout Italy for the "miracle" of the fountains flowing with wine. The two festivals tell the two sides of the same harvest: wine on one hand, the homemade pastry on the other. This is why the October festival has a more intimate, village-like character, highly frequented by families from the Castelli Romani area.

Why it's worth the trip

Marino can be reached in less than an hour from Rome, and the festival is the perfect opportunity to discover a village that combines historic cellars, Baroque churches, and one of the best-preserved Roman mithraea in Lazio. The day is free, takes place almost entirely outdoors, and allows you to taste a product that is not easily found out of season: the must, in fact, is only available in the weeks following the harvest.