Madonna di Quintiliolo Festival

A devotion spanning centuries

The Madonna di Quintiliolo Festival is the heart of religious life in Tivoli. At the center of this devotion is an icon dating back to the early 13th century, an Odigitria where Mary points to the Child with her right hand. It is housed in a sanctuary located outside the city among ancient olive trees, next to the remains of the Roman villa attributed to Quintilius Varus, from which the name 'Quintiliolo' derives.

The tradition of moving the image to the city every year dates back to the early 17th century. The farmers of Tivoli, who venerated the Virgin as the protector of their harvests, obtained permission in 1679 for the icon to 'stay' in the Cathedral during the summer months, which were crucial for the agricultural year. The procession, originally set for May 1st, was moved after 1823 to the first Sunday of the month; in 1834, Pope Gregory XVI attended it personally.

The procession on the first Sunday of May

At dawn on the first Sunday of May, after mass at the sanctuary, the sacred image is placed on an 18th-century processional carriage and carried on the shoulders of the butteri—the traditional herdsmen who recognize Saint Isidore as their patron, as he is said to have discovered the Madonna's painting while plowing his field. The procession reaches the Triumphal Arch at the entrance of Villa Gregoriana, where the historic 'May gunshot' on Monte Catillo announces the Virgin's arrival to the population.

This is followed by the blessing of the butteri, the handing over of the city keys, and the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the bishop, before the procession winds through the historic center until it is welcomed into the Cathedral amidst applause and deep emotion.

Flower festival and artistic carpet

Along the route, the processional carriage passes over the 'infiorata' (flower carpet) set up since 1993 by the Via Maggiore district on Via Domenico Giuliani, the work of hundreds of master flower artists. Since 2018, the artistic carpet by the 'Tutti giù' association has been added on Via Palatina, created with recycled and humble materials: volcanic ash from Mount Etna, colored wood shavings, crushed eggshells, colored salt, and dried flowers.

Three months in the Cathedral and the return in August

The Madonna remains on display in the Duomo of San Lorenzo for three months. The return to the sanctuary takes place on the first Sunday of August, at dawn and in a more sober manner: tradition has it that the butteri walk quickly because 'the Virgin wants to return to her home as soon as possible'.

A festival in the heart of Lazio

Supported by the Cathedral Parish, the Diocese of Tivoli and Palestrina, and the Municipality of Tivoli, the festival is one of the city's most defining recurring events within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. For those visiting Tivoli, it is also an opportunity to discover Villa d'Este, Hadrian's Villa, and Villa Gregoriana on a day when the entire community takes to the streets.