Madonna della Civita Festival at Scotti

A village festival suspended over the sea

In Scotti di Sopra, located in the higher, more agricultural part of Ponza—in the province of Latina, Lazio—July 21st is no ordinary date. It is the day the small district gathers around the little church dedicated to the Madonna della Civita for a celebration that blends popular faith, family memories, and summer conviviality. Far from the hustle of the harbor and the crowded beaches, this event reveals the island's less touristy and perhaps most genuine side: that of terraced hills, vineyards, scattered houses, and families returning from Formia, Rome, or further afield to ensure they don't miss the appointment.

The little church and its history

The church of Madonna della Civita at Scotti was built between 1952 and 1954 by the will of Monsignor Luigi Maria Dies, a figure deeply loved by the people of Ponza. It is a simple, austere building, yet bright and welcoming, housing a painting of the Virgin with the Baby Jesus blessing the world. The cult traces back to the famous sanctuary of Madonna della Civita in Itri, one of the most important Marian sites in the Archdiocese of Gaeta, to which the island of Ponza is historically linked. It is no coincidence that the Scotti community gathers in prayer before the little church on the 21st of every month, not just in summer.

How the day unfolds

The structure of the festival repeats year after year with a consistency that is part of the tradition itself. In the early afternoon, the procession begins, moving slowly along the paths and fields of the high area, amidst dry-stone walls and sudden glimpses of the sea. Around 7 PM, the procession reaches a courtyard surrounded by houses, where open-air holy mass is celebrated: it is the most intimate moment of the day, with the faithful sitting on chairs brought from home and singing mingling with the sound of the wind.

Once the service ends, the mood shifts and the religious celebration becomes a village festival. Games for children, live music with local bands and musicians arrive, and finally, the cocomerata: the free distribution of fresh watermelon to all attendees, a true island-style watermelon festival that keeps the evening going with chatter, dancing, and toasts.

Why it's worth attending

• It is one of the few opportunities to discover rural Ponza, with its terraces and farmhouses far from the port.
• The 7 PM open-air mass, with the light fading over the sea, is a deeply evocative moment, even for non-believers.
• The final cocomerata is free and open to everyone: no barriers, no tickets.
• The atmosphere is genuinely familiar, with multiple generations gathering in the same space.
• The festival is child-friendly, thanks to the games organized in the first part of the evening.

A staple in the Ponza summer calendar

The Madonna della Civita Festival at Scotti is part of the busy summer calendar promoted by the Municipality of Ponza, which alternates concerts, shows, cultural events, and traditional anniversaries between July and September. Compared to the more spectacular events of the season, this festival maintains a deliberately intimate scale: there are no large stages or sponsors, but a committee of residents who take care of the decorations, the procession, and the preparation of the evening every year. This is also why it remains one of the most beloved events for the locals, so much so that many plan their return to the island specifically for July 21st.

The context: Ponza and the Pontine Archipelago

Ponza is the main hub of the Pontine Islands archipelago, in southern Lazio, and belongs to the province of Latina. A land of fishermen, heroic terrace farming, and caves carved into tuff, the island preserves a rich heritage of popular devotions, of which the Scotti festival is perhaps the most authentic example. Those arriving for the occasion can combine the festival with a day at the sea, a visit to the Bourbon port, or a boat trip along the coast: on July 21st, however, the real show is higher up, among the houses of Scotti.