Merca Festival
Butteri, horses, and rural traditions at Roccaccia in Tarquinia
About Merca Festival
The Merca: An ancient ritual of the Lazio Maremma
The Merca Festival is one of the most iconic events in the Tuscia region. The "merca" is the ancient fire-branding ritual used by breeders to identify their free-roaming cattle. Every spring, the butteri—the legendary mounted herdsmen of the Maremma—gather the herds into a large enclosure, separate the previous year's calves, and lead them into the "tondino," a circular pen where the branding demonstration takes place. This working tradition has evolved into a vibrant festival, drawing butteri from both the Lazio and Tuscan Maremma.
Over half a century of history
Organized by the Agrarian University of Tarquinia, a historic institution that manages the area's collective lands, the festival boasts over fifty years of history, reaching its 53rd edition in 2025. It is considered a cornerstone of the Maremma identity and the agricultural world of Tarquinia, in the province of Viterbo, Northern Lazio, just a few kilometers from the famous Etruscan necropolis.
Horses, butteri, and field skills
The heart of the event is the equestrian world: high-school riding performances, the knights' ring jousting competition, gymkhanas, morphological exhibitions of the Maremmano horse, and the butteri's skill trials in separating calves from the herd. Alongside the horses, there is plenty of space for canine demonstrations, ranging from hunting dog trials to truffle dog exhibitions, as well as open-breed dog shows.
A festival for the whole family
The program alternates between spectacular moments and conviviality: games and entertainment for children, the curious "Buttero fashion" parade featuring traditional costumes, live music, town band concerts, off-road tours, radio communication demonstrations, and guided trekking excursions in the estate's woods. Food stalls offer typical products and wines from the Tarquinia countryside, allowing visitors to rediscover the authentic flavors of the Maremma.
Roccaccia, the agricultural heart of Tarquinia
The festival takes place at the Roccaccia estate, a vast property owned by the Agrarian University nestled in the countryside northeast of Tarquinia, where cattle still graze in the wild. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of this Etruscan city: its rural soul, defined by livestock farming, folk traditions, and open landscapes that the Lazio Region preserves as a living heritage of Maremma culture.
Merca Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 Merca Festival at Roccaccia
The 2026 edition of the Merca Festival took place on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, at the Roccaccia estate, organized by the Agrarian University of Tarquinia. The official opening on Saturday at 11:00 AM saw the participation of the city's political, religious, and military authorities; a banner was placed at the entrance in memory of Valentina Paterna, a regional councilor from Tarquinia who recently passed away.
Among the most anticipated moments was the "Cavalli in Libertà" show with Filippo Nassi, performed on both days, alongside the knights' ring jousting competition, canine skill demonstrations, and the "buttero fashion" parade. On Sunday, April 19, the festival also hosted the Spring Festival, featuring a guided 7-kilometer trekking excursion. Live music with the Trio d'autore, a concert by the Giacomo Setaccioli Musical Band, off-road tours, radio demonstrations, children's games, and food stalls rounded off a weekend of free admission.
Programme Merca Festival 2026
Saturday, April 18, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Official inauguration with political, religious, and military authorities
- "Cavalli in Libertà" show with Filippo Nassi
- Knights' ring jousting competition and equestrian shows
- Canine skill demonstrations
- "Buttero fashion" parade
- Live music with the Trio d'autore
Sunday, April 19, 2026
- 9:30 AM — Meeting point for the Spring Festival trekking excursion (departure at 10:00 AM, approx. 7 km route, easy difficulty)
- "Cavalli in Libertà" show with Filippo Nassi
- Concert by the Giacomo Setaccioli Musical Band of Tarquinia
- Off-road tours and radio communication demonstrations
All weekend
- Games and entertainment for children, rides
- Food stalls and refreshment points
- Ample parking on-site
Highlights Merca Festival 2026
- "Cavalli in Libertà" show with Filippo Nassi on both days
- Knights' ring jousting and "buttero fashion" parade
- 7 km trekking excursion for the Spring Festival (Sunday)
- Concerts by the Trio d'autore and the Giacomo Setaccioli Musical Band
- Free admission for all activities
Prices Merca Festival 2026
Practical information — Merca Festival
Getting there
The festival takes place in the La Roccaccia area, in the countryside of Tarquinia (VT). By car: take the A12 motorway, exit at Tarquinia, then follow the signs for the Roccaccia estate. Ample parking is available on-site. The nearest train station is Tarquinia, on the Rome-Pisa line.
Admission
Admission is free for all activities. Food stalls and refreshment points are open during the two days; rides and activities for children are available.
Contact
Agrarian University of Tarquinia — email: [email protected] — tel. +39 0766 856016 / +39 389 6161984. The full program is published on the Agrarian University of Tarquinia's Facebook page.
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