Patronal Feast and Ancient Fair of Saint Clement

The Patronal Feast of Velletri

November 23rd is the most significant date on the calendar for Velletri, a city in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, nestled in the heart of the Castelli Romani in Lazio. On this day, the community celebrates Saint Clement I, a 1st-century pope and martyr who serves as the patron saint of both the city and the Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni. According to local tradition, Clement—the fourth Bishop of Rome—was connected to Velletri before ascending to the papacy, and the Basilica Cathedral that dominates the historic center is dedicated to him. For the people of Velletri, this anniversary is more than just a religious festival; it is a moment of identity, memory, and community, marked by the closure of municipal offices.

The Triduum and Cathedral Celebrations

The feast is preceded by a triduum, featuring solemn vespers and masses with prayers to the saint in the Basilica Cathedral of Saint Clement. On the day of the feast, the Cathedral hosts celebrations from morning until evening, culminating in a solemn pontifical mass presided over by bishops and cardinals. In 2025, it was celebrated by Cardinal Francis Arinze, while the morning prelatic mass was led by Bishop Stefano Russo. The religious program is often enriched by sacred music concerts, events for youth, catechism groups, and scouts, as well as extended opening hours and thematic guided tours at the Diocesan Museum and the Civic Museums focusing on Saint Clement in art.

The Ancient Fair: A 17th-Century Tradition

Alongside the religious festivities, the Ancient Fair of Saint Clement takes place, standing as one of the longest-running fairs in Lazio. Its documented origins date back to at least the 17th century, when Velletri, as part of the Papal States, was authorized to hold two annual fairs: one in August and one in November for Saint Clement. These fairs lasted for several days, attracting merchants and buyers from across the territory and transforming city life to such an extent that a "Captain of the Fair" was appointed with extraordinary powers. Originally established for the trade of livestock—horses, cattle, and pigs—the fair gradually lost its agricultural focus by the mid-20th century, evolving into a general market for all types of goods. A remnant of the original tradition remains in the lattònzoli, or suckling pigs.

The City Becomes a Marketplace

On the day of the fair, hundreds of stalls occupy the perimeter of the historic center: Corso della Repubblica, Piazza Cairoli, and the squares of Mazzini, Metabo, and XX Settembre, along with Via Marconi, Via Oberdan, Via Regina Margherita, and the streets surrounding the Cathedral, following a layout similar to the May fair of the Madonna delle Grazie. Stall assignments are managed by the SUAP office of the Municipality of Velletri through a public call for applications every autumn. Amidst the merchandise, the aroma of porchetta and sweets, and thousands of visitors arriving from all over the Castelli Romani, the city experiences one of its liveliest days of the year.

Why Visit

• The solemn pontifical mass in the Basilica Cathedral of Saint Clement
• A fair with over four centuries of documented history
• The historic center of Velletri transformed into a vast open-air market
• Thematic guided tours at the Diocesan Museum and Civic Museums
• The authentic atmosphere of a Castelli Romani patronal feast