La Nostra Festa - Patronal Feast of Santa Maria delle Mole

A festival that bears the neighborhood's name

La Nostra Festa is the patronal feast of Santa Maria delle Mole, the populous district of the Municipality of Marino, in the province of Rome, Lazio. The very name of the town reflects the Marian devotion celebrated here: the festival is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a liturgical recurrence on September 8th, and is the most anticipated moment of the year for the neighborhood. The title chosen by the organizers — "La Nostra Festa" (Our Festival) — perfectly captures the spirit of the event: it is not a top-down manifestation, but a celebration built by the inhabitants, house by house, street by street.

Where we are: Santa Maria delle Mole and the Castelli Romani

Santa Maria delle Mole is located at the foot of the Alban Hills, along the route connecting Rome to the Castelli Romani. It is a district that has grown significantly in recent decades, served by the Rome-Albano railway line and just a few kilometers from the historic center of Marino, famous throughout Italy for its Grape Festival in October. The September patronal feast, however, is the district's defining event, with a more intimate, neighborhood character, yet no less popular: the squares fill up every evening, and the event attracts visitors from neighboring towns.

The dual track: religious and secular programs

The event has always developed along two parallel tracks that intertwine throughout the week.

• Religious program: Recitation of the Rosary and daily Holy Masses at the parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with different Marian themes each day and celebrations dedicated to the sick, families, and youth. The highlight is the Solemn Mass followed by the procession with the statue of the Madonna through the streets of the neighborhood, accompanied by the band and faithful carrying torches.
• Secular and sports program: Running races, tournaments, shows, live music, and games that animate the neighborhood squares until late at night.

Recurring annual events

In recent editions, the calendar has consistently featured several events that have become tradition:

• the "La Nostra Corsa" Trophy - Santa Maria Run, the morning running race through the streets of the district, with a version dedicated to children;
• the "Games Without Frontiers," a playful challenge between teams from different areas of the neighborhood;
• choral concerts and pop music performances on the stage set up in the square;
• tournaments for foosball and burraco, as well as skating and dance performances;
• the vintage car parade, featuring the traditional Fiat 500 gathering;
• the lottery drawing, which officially closes the festivities on the final evening.

Who organizes it

The festival is promoted by the Festivities Committee of the Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in collaboration with the Santa Maria delle Mole Neighborhood Committee and the Pro Loco Boville, in partnership with the Municipality of Marino. It is entirely volunteer-driven: residents build the stages, manage the stands, and coordinate the competitions, and this is reflected in the familiar and welcoming atmosphere.

What atmosphere to expect

First-time visitors will find an authentic village festival, free from tourist artifice: stalls along the streets, the scent of porchetta and typical Castelli pastries, impromptu long tables, and children playing late into the night. It is the ideal opportunity to discover a side of the Castelli Romani far from the beaten path and to combine the visit with exploring the historic center of Marino, its Palazzo Colonna, and the famous Fountain of the Four Moors.