Feast of the Patron Saints Biagio and Geminiano

A celebration of the sacred and the secular near Rome

Every year, in the final days of June, Sacrofano — a medieval village in the Metropolitan City of Rome, nestled in the hills of the Tiber Valley — gathers to honor its two patron saints, Biagio and Geminiano. The Feast of the Patron Saints Biagio and Geminiano is the town's most defining event: a popular tradition that has thrived for over seventy years, blending solemn religious celebrations in the Church of San Biagio with the conviviality of the town square, featuring live music, food stalls, and entertainment for all ages.

The Rite of the Exchange of the Patron Saint

The symbolic heart of the festival is the 'Rite of the Exchange of the Patron Saint', a tradition involving the so-called 'festaroli': citizens turning fifty in the current year. At the end of the festivities, the outgoing group hands over the statuette of San Biagio to the next group, who will have the honor and responsibility of organizing the following year's festival. This generational handover has ensured the continuity of the event for decades. In addition to devotion to the saints, it is a deeply rooted local custom to wear a red accessory during the festival.

The 2026 edition program

The 2026 edition took place from Friday, June 26th, to Sunday, June 28th, with a schedule alternating between spiritual moments and cultural and recreational events. The opening evening on Friday, June 26th, hosted the final of the Sacrofano Cantafestival in Piazza Ugo Serata, a singing competition promoted by the Sacrofano Band Association under the artistic direction of Maestro Carlo Calcagnini, with a jury chaired by Maestro Pinuccio Pirazzoli, one of the most authoritative figures in Italian music. Artistic workshops dedicated to ceramics, painting, and mosaics were held in the Medieval Village, while the Church of San Biagio hosted liturgical celebrations and solemn religious services. On Sunday, June 28th, the solemn procession of San Biagio moved through the streets of the historic center, followed by the Exchange Rite, the lottery draw, and the final fireworks display.

The flavors of the Pro Loco

As per tradition, the gastronomic aspect is managed by the Pro Loco of Sacrofano stalls, which offer local dishes and regional products throughout the festival. It is the moment when the square becomes a large open-air dining room, filled with the aromas of Roman and Lazio cuisine and evenings of live music.

Sacrofano, a village to discover in the Lazio Region

The festival is also an excellent opportunity to discover Sacrofano, a small town of about eight thousand inhabitants immersed in the greenery of the Veio Park, about twenty kilometers from the center of Rome. The medieval village, with its alleys and small squares, provides a natural backdrop for the festivities. The 2026 edition of the event was also made possible thanks to funding obtained through a Lazio Region call for proposals to support the enhancement of local traditions, cultural heritage, and regional identity — a recognition of the value this festival holds for the community and the entire area north of the Capital.