Feast of the Patron Saints Philip and James

A tradition celebrated by the village for over three centuries

The Feast of the Patron Saints Philip and James is the signature event of Nemi, a tiny municipality in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, nestled in the heart of the Castelli Romani and the Castelli Park, perched on the crater of Lake Nemi. It is celebrated on May 1st, a date that here is not just a civil labor holiday, but above all a religious one: the procession with the Saints' relics reached its 365th edition in 2026, a testament to how deeply rooted this devotion is in the town's collective memory.

The apostles Philip and James the Less are commemorated on the same day because their relics were interred together in the Church of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome. In the Castelli Romani, they are venerated as patrons in three communities: Frascati, Lanuvio, and Nemi. In Nemi, however, the devotion has taken on a unique character, tied to the agricultural calendar and the life of the fields surrounding the lake.

The heart of the day: thanksgiving, relics, and blessings

On the morning of May 1st, the parish church hosts the Solemn Thanksgiving Celebration with the offering of the fruits of labor: the faithful bring the products of the land and their daily work to the altar—a simple yet powerful gesture that links the liturgy to Nemi's agricultural vocation, famous throughout Italy for its wild strawberries.

Following the mass, the most anticipated moment takes place: the traditional procession with the Saints' relics and the processional banner, which winds through the narrow streets of the historic center accompanied by the local brass band. The parade concludes with the blessing of the town and the fields, a ritual that renews the alliance between the community and the land that sustains it every year.

The civil festivities: colors, music, and the piazza

In the afternoon, the mood shifts. The village streets fill with flag-wavers and musicians from the historic districts of Carpineto Romano, with itinerant performances featuring drums, clarions, and flags right up to Castello Ruspoli. Over the years, the program has also included musical events within the castle grounds, family entertainment, and convivial gatherings organized by the parish, culminating in a community dinner that closes the festive cycle.

A symbol of memory: the processional banner

Alongside the rituals, the Nemi community has recently worked to enhance its devotional heritage. In 2026, the Church of Santa Maria del Pozzo hosted the presentation of the study The Processional Banner of the Patron Saints: Faces and Stories of Nemi, featuring historical reports, dialect poetry, the recitation of the ancient prayer to the Patron Saints, and a photo exhibition dedicated to local faces and traditions. It is a sign that the festival is not just a ritual, but a narrative of the community itself.

Why it's worth the trip

• Authenticity: This is a festival experienced by the locals first and foremost, free from tourist artifice.
• Historical continuity: Over three and a half centuries of uninterrupted processions.
• The landscape: The village overlooks Lake Nemi, offering one of the most photographed panoramas in the Lazio region.
• Gastronomic delights: Strawberries, wild strawberries, and the cuisine of the Castelli Romani, just days before the season of the famous Strawberry Festival.

Nemi, the smallest of the Castelli

With just over two thousand inhabitants, Nemi is one of the least populous municipalities in Lazio, yet it holds a rare density of history: the Sanctuary of Diana Nemorensis, the remains of Caligula's ships, and Castello Ruspoli. Participating in the patronal feast means stepping into the real rhythm of the village for a day, when shops open onto the path of the procession and the entire town gathers in the same square.