Madonna della Concordia Festival

The festival that closes the summer in Vico nel Lazio

In the heart of the Ciociaria region, within the medieval walls of one of the best-preserved villages in the Monti Ernici, the Madonna della Concordia Festival has for generations marked the end of summer in Vico nel Lazio, in the province of Frosinone. It is the town's final summer celebration, a mid-September event that weaves together religious rites, brass band music, and traditional rural flavors, drawing back local emigrants and visitors from neighboring towns.

A sanctuary with three centuries of history

Devotion centers on the Church of the Madonna della Concordia, located just outside the town walls: a small votive chapel expanded starting March 15, 1724, completed in 1734, and established as a church in 1821. In 1735, the image of the Virgin was solemnly crowned before nearly four thousand faithful, a sign of a cult that attracted pilgrims from the entire surrounding area. Behind the Baroque altar, the precious fresco of the Madonna and Child is preserved—the spiritual heart of the festival—while the six canvases depicting scenes from the life of Mary, stolen in 1979, were replaced by copies in 1984. Very few churches in Italy are dedicated to the Madonna della Concordia, and the one in Vico is among the most beloved.

The days of the festival

The religious program follows a well-established pattern: a preparatory triduum with church services, followed on Friday evening by holy mass and the candlelight procession to the cemetery in memory of the deceased, one of the most heartfelt moments for the community. On Sunday, the solemn mass precedes the procession of the statue of the Madonna—crafted in 2008—which winds through the village streets accompanied by the brass band and the confraternity members. The final evening brings the town together with food stalls and live music.

The Rabbit Festival (Sagra del Coniglio)

Alongside the religious rites, the Rabbit Festival takes place on Saturday evening. Established in 1983 by the Confraternity to keep devotion alive, the rabbit is cooked according to the local recipe and served in the square in front of the church, with proceeds dedicated to the restoration of the fresco of the Madonna della Concordia. In 2025, the festival celebrated its fortieth edition, confirming its status as one of the most anticipated food and wine events in this corner of the Ciociaria.

A village to discover

The festival is also an opportunity to visit Vico nel Lazio, a medieval village enclosed by walls with towers and gateways, among the most evocative in the Lazio Region. The town, perched at over 700 meters in the Monti Ernici, preserves stone alleys, Romanesque churches, and panoramic views stretching over the Sacco Valley: a setting that makes the September festival a small journey into the most authentic soul of the Ciociaria.