Eid al-Adha Festival at Villa Gordiani

One of the great Muslim holidays celebrated in a Roman park

Eid al-Adha, the so-called Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two main holidays in the Islamic calendar and ideally marks the end of the pilgrimage season. In Rome, within the V Municipality, this festival moves beyond traditional places of worship and takes the form of a public day in Villa Gordiani Park, on the Via Prenestina: an event promoted by the Islamic Community of Rome (C.I.R.) and open to all citizens within the Municipality of Rome, the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, and thus in the urban heart of the Lazio region.

The venue: Villa Gordiani

Villa Gordiani is no ordinary park. It is a green area crossed by the remains of a large Roman imperial villa, with mausoleums and brick structures emerging among the lawns and paths frequented daily by residents of the Prenestino, Gordiani, and Villa De Sanctis neighborhoods. Hosting a community festival here means placing a contemporary celebration within a historical stratification that belongs to everyone: an archaeological park that has functioned for decades as a space for popular social life in a part of the city very different from the monumental center.

What is on the program

The day is organized by thematic areas, allowing everyone to move freely between different spaces:

• Stage and speeches — music, songs, readings, and brief talks accompanying the day;
• Welcome area — information point for those arriving who are unfamiliar with the holiday;
• Children's spaces — games and activities dedicated to the little ones;
• Youth and women's spaces — meeting and discussion moments designed for specific groups;
• Information and association stands — presence of local volunteer and civic organizations;
• Refreshment area — traditional cuisine and sweets, with conviviality being an integral part of the celebration.

An intercultural, not just religious, event

The festival is designed as a moment of dialogue: families, associations, children, and curious visitors are invited to participate even if they do not belong to the Muslim community. It is a rare opportunity, in a city as large as Rome, to understand from the inside what Eid al-Adha means, what gestures compose it — prayer, sharing food, attention to those in need — and how a large, well-established community lives its holiday in a public space. It is no coincidence that the initiative has also received messages of closeness from Roman Catholic circles.

A festival that sparked debate

The 2026 edition was preceded by a disinformation campaign circulating on social media, which announced alleged animal slaughtering in the park: a claim refuted by the facts and local news, which reported a day that unfolded peacefully among families, children, and stands. The subsequent debate shifted to the administrative level, with checks on permits and setups. The main fact remains: thousands of people crossed the park on a festive Sunday, and the event has become one of the most visible moments of the Muslim presence in the Roman public space.

Who is it for?

For families with children, for those living in the Prenestina neighborhoods, for those interested in cultures and religions, and for those who love Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. Participation is free, and the atmosphere is that of a large outdoor neighborhood festival, with imperial ruins in the background.