Echoes of the Sixteenth Century
Three Renaissance evenings in the village of Monte Soratte
About Echoes of the Sixteenth Century
The village that returns to the 16th century
On the slopes of Monte Soratte, the solitary mountain overlooking the Tiber Valley once sung by Horace, the village of Sant'Oreste hosts Echoes of the Sixteenth Century at the end of June, a Renaissance festival that transforms the historic center into a grand open-air stage for three evenings. Historical costumed processions, flag-wavers and drummers, archery displays, traditional crafts, court dances, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, and spectacular fire shows follow one another from 6 PM until midnight, in an atmosphere of yesteryear enhanced by live music and a wide range of food options.
Thirty years of the Historical Group
The event is organized by the Libera Associazione Gruppo Storico Sant'Oreste, which began as a group in 1991 during the patronal feast of Saint Edisto and was formally established in 1996. For three decades, the association has brought local historical episodes back to life, such as the 1523 skirmish between Sant'Oreste and Civita Castellana over border disputes, the trial of Francischiello, or the election of the Podestà and the Priors. The 2026 edition of Echoes of the Sixteenth Century celebrated the association's thirtieth anniversary, along with an even more solemn milestone: the 450th anniversary of the signing of the Statute of Sant'Oreste, re-enacted on the opening night.
The Renaissance Path
The beating heart of the festival is the Renaissance Path, which winds from Via Porta Sant'Edisto, through Via di San Nicola, to Piazza Carlo Alberto. Along the way, you will encounter stalls of historical artisans and traditional crafts, while the Compagnia del Soratte enlivens the streets with traveling scenes of Renaissance life: a way to immerse yourself in the daily life of the 16th century while strolling through the stone alleys of the village.
Processions, flag-wavers, and fire shows
Each evening features a historical procession with different protagonists: the Musici Vulpes of Poggio di Otricoli open the festival on Friday, while the flag-wavers and drummers of Il Pilastro of Viterbo parade on Saturday, and the flag-wavers and musicians of Giove perform on Sunday. In the evening, the streets light up with traveling performances: dancers, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, and jugglers, fan dances, and musicians with bagpipes and flutes, culminating in the evocative fire shows that close the evenings.
Tavern and flavors of the festival
As in any respectable historical re-enactment, the gastronomic side is not to be missed: the tavern and stalls set up for the occasion allow you to dine in the village in a themed setting, turning your visit into a true village festival evening.
Sant'Oreste, the Soratte, and the Lazio of villages
The Municipality of Sant'Oreste, in the province of Rome, is located about 45 kilometers from the Capital, overlooking the Tiber Valley and framed by the Monte Soratte Nature Reserve, with its hermitages and scenic trails. Echoes of the Sixteenth Century is an ideal opportunity to discover one of the most charming villages in northern Lazio, combining the Renaissance festival with a walk through the historic streets of the town and, for the more active, a hike on the sacred mountain that towers above it.
Echoes of the Sixteenth Century — edition 2026
An edition for two anniversaries
The 2026 edition of Echoes of the Sixteenth Century celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the Libera Associazione Gruppo Storico Sant'Oreste and, together, the 450th anniversary of the signing of the Statute of Sant'Oreste, re-enacted on the opening night of Friday, June 26, before the public and the authorities of the Municipality, in the province of Rome.
Three evenings in the village
The festival began on Friday afternoon with hobbyist stalls from Porta Valle to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III; at 5:30 PM, the Historical Group Procession, accompanied by the Musici Vulpes of Poggio di Otricoli, officially opened the event, followed at 6:00 PM by the re-enactment of the Statute with the concert of the Donzelle del Soratte of the Associazione Soratte in Musica ETS and the performance of the Piccole Danzatrici of the Historical Group.
On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the processions featured the flag-wavers and drummers of Il Pilastro of Viterbo and the flag-wavers and musicians of Giove, while from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, the streets came alive with traveling performances: the Imaginearum Dancers duo, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, and jugglers of the Compagnia de lo Grifone, dancers with fans, and musicians with bagpipes and flutes. Along the Renaissance Path, from Via Porta Sant'Edisto to Piazza Carlo Alberto, historical artisans, traditional crafts, and the Renaissance life scenes of the Compagnia del Soratte completed the picture, along with the tavern and food stalls.
Programme Echoes of the Sixteenth Century 2026
Friday, June 26
- From the afternoon - hobbyist stalls from Porta Valle to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III
- 5:30 PM - Historical Group Procession with the Musici Vulpes of Poggio di Otricoli and institutional greetings
- 6:00 PM - Re-enactment of the 450th anniversary of the signing of the Statute of Sant'Oreste, with the concert of the Donzelle del Soratte (Associazione Soratte in Musica ETS) and the performance of the Piccole Danzatrici of the Historical Group
Saturday, June 27
- Historical procession with the flag-wavers and drummers of Il Pilastro of Viterbo
- From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM - traveling performances: Imaginearum Dancers duo, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, and jugglers of the Compagnia de lo Grifone
Sunday, June 28
- Historical procession with the flag-wavers and musicians of Giove
- Dancers with fans and traveling musicians with bagpipes and flutes through the village streets
Every evening (6:00 PM - 12:00 AM)
- Renaissance Path from Via Porta Sant'Edisto, through Via di San Nicola, to Piazza Carlo Alberto, with historical artisans and traditional crafts
- Traveling scenes of Renaissance life by the Compagnia del Soratte
- Archery displays, fire shows, live music, and concerts
- Tavern and food stalls
Highlights Echoes of the Sixteenth Century 2026
- Re-enactment of the 450th anniversary of the signing of the Statute of Sant'Oreste on the opening night
- Thirtieth anniversary of the Libera Associazione Gruppo Storico Sant'Oreste
- Renaissance Path featuring historical artisans and traditional crafts
- Flag-wavers and drummers of Il Pilastro of Viterbo and flag-wavers and musicians of Giove
- Fire shows, stilt walkers, and jugglers of the Compagnia de lo Grifone
- Tavern and food stalls in the historic center, with free admission
Prices Echoes of the Sixteenth Century 2026
Practical information — Echoes of the Sixteenth Century
How to get there
Sant'Oreste is located about 45 km north of Rome. By car: A1 motorway, exit Ponzano Romano-Soratte, or via the Flaminia and Tiberina roads. The festival takes place in the historic center of the village; parking is available in areas outside the walls.
Hours and admission
Three evenings, from 6:00 PM to approximately midnight. Admission is completely free; food and drinks are available for purchase at the tavern and food stalls.
Tips
The village is hilly, with stone alleys and inclines: comfortable shoes are recommended. Information: [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Echoes of the Sixteenth Century
Centro storico di Sant'Oreste
Centro storico, 00060 Sant'Oreste