Marino Grape Festival

A century-old tradition near Rome

The Marino Grape Festival is the most iconic celebration of the Castelli Romani and one of the oldest festivals in Italy. The first edition was held on Sunday, October 4, 1925, at the initiative of the local poet and journalist Leone Ciprelli, who envisioned a festival that would boost the town's economy and tourism by showcasing its signature product: the white wine of the Colli Albani. In 2025, the event celebrated its centenary with its 100th edition, cementing its status as the season's final great ottobrata romana.

The miracle of the fountains

The moment that made Marino famous throughout Italy is the so-called miracle of the fountains: on the afternoon of the main Sunday, wine flows from the Fontana dei Quattro Mori in Piazza Lepanto instead of water, to the delight of the crowds waiting with glasses and flasks. This gesture is not a modern gimmick but a revival of a Renaissance custom: during the festivities of the Colonna family, the lords of Marino, fountains were indeed converted to dispense wine to celebrate solemn events. Over the years, the tradition has been extended to other fountains in the center.

Lepanto, the Madonna of the Rosary, and the historical pageant

The festival takes place on the first Sunday of October because it coincides with the Feast of the Madonna of the Rosary and the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, in which Marcantonio II Colonna, lord of Marino and commander of the papal fleet, played a leading role. On Saturday evening, a proclamation announces the victory to the city; on Sunday, following the religious procession, the Renaissance-style historical pageant — restored in 1969 — marches through the streets, re-enacting the triumphant return of Marcantonio Colonna with costumed figures, floats, flag-wavers, and local musical groups.

Wine, gastronomy, and a festive historic center

Throughout the event, Marino's historic center hosts food stalls, open wineries, and guided tastings dedicated to the wines of the Castelli Romani, particularly the Marino DOC. Typical local flavors include porchetta, roasted chestnuts, grape-based desserts, and local artisanal products. Streets and balconies are decorated with grape clusters and vines, while squares and plazas host concerts, theatrical performances in the local dialect, art exhibitions, and guided tours of historic sites such as the Mithraeum and the Underground Marino.

A multi-day event

Originally a one-day celebration, the Grape Festival has gradually expanded into a multi-day event, featuring a rich array of side events starting in late September and culminating on the Sunday of the pageant and the fountains. The program typically includes an official inauguration with the blessing of the grapes and wine, evening concerts, street performances, exhibitions, and cultural initiatives throughout the center.

Marino, city of wine

Located just over twenty kilometers from Rome, in the heart of the Castelli Romani Regional Park in the province of Rome (Lazio), Marino is one of the historic villages most deeply connected to the winemaking culture of Lazio and is part of the City of Wine network. Palazzo Colonna, the Basilica of San Barnaba, the monumental fountains, and the underground tunnels carved into the tuff rock provide a natural backdrop for a festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors from Rome and the entire region every October.