Feast of Saint Costanza the Martyr

A co-patron saint arriving in 1756

The Feast of Saint Costanza the Martyr is one of the most cherished events of the summer in San Donato Val di Comino, a village nestled at the foot of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The remains of the young Roman martyr were brought to the town in 1756 and have since been kept in the Cathedral of Santa Maria and San Marcello Papa. For over two and a half centuries, the community has venerated her as a co-patron alongside Saint Donato, invoking her as a protector against fevers. The feast traditionally falls on the last Sunday of August, preceded by a novena, the arrival of pilgrims, an all-night vigil, and the ritual dressing of the statue by the local confraternity.

The procession of the twelve pages

The most solemn moment is the procession through the medieval alleys: the statue of Saint Costanza is carried in triumph by twelve young pages dressed in 18th-century costumes, followed by the town band and many faithful wearing traditional Ciociaria attire, complete with characteristic 'cioce' footwear. Saint Costanza is considered the patron saint of young unmarried women—traditionally nicknamed 'onions'—and the festival retains a blend of religious and folk traditions, including the revival of 18th and 19th-century town square games.

The pottery and onion fair

Alongside the religious rites, the famous Saint Costanza Market, documented since the 1700s, brings the town to life: the fair of pottery and onions. In the narrow streets of the historic center, stalls display artisanal terracotta and ceramics—pots, pitchers, whistles, and clay piggy banks—alongside braids of onions grown by local farmers. In the past, children would break their terracotta piggy banks on this very day to buy new toys and pottery at the fair: a custom that reflects the village's deep-rooted peasant and artisan soul.

The 'cipollata' and the taverns of Via Duomo

Gastronomy is the absolute star: in the taverns set up along Via Duomo, the ancient festival menu is served, featuring onion-based dishes. The signature dish is the 'cipollata', prepared with onions, eggs, and cheese, accompanied by onion stew and other genuine flavors of Ciociaria cuisine, all to be enjoyed in the alleys amidst an atmosphere of yesteryear.

Fireworks from the bell tower and grand finale

The festival concludes with music, concerts in the square, and one of the most evocative firework displays in lower Lazio: the fireworks are launched from the top of the cathedral bell tower, which overlooks the village and illuminates it from above. In recent years, the festivities have been joined by the Palio of Saint Costanza, a costumed challenge born from the medieval festival 'Castrum Sancti Donati'.

A village in the Park between Lazio and Abruzzo

Supported by the Municipality of San Donato Val di Comino along with the parish and the festival committee, the event is also an excellent opportunity to discover one of the most picturesque villages in the Lazio region, bordering Abruzzo: the medieval historic center with its stairways, panoramic views of the Valle di Comino, and the trails of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park that start right from the village.