Patronal Feast of Saint Giles and the Drappo dei Comuni

A patronal feast with over two centuries of history

Every year, between the second half of August and September 1st, Tolfa—a village of miners and 'butteri' (cowboys) perched in the Tolfa Mountains, within the Metropolitan City of Rome—celebrates its patron saint, Saint Giles, with one of the most heartfelt festivals in the Lazio region. The heart of the tradition is the Horse Race, known locally as the 'Cursa de le Cavalle' and documented since 1817: over two hundred years of history that have made Tolfa a true 'city of the horse'. In the early decades, famous local jockeys such as Giuseppe Gentili (known as Ciancone), Antonio Trinetti (Canapetta), and Antonio Villella (known in Siena as Trentacinque) were hired by the districts of the Palio di Siena, a testament to the prestige of the local equestrian school.

The Drappo dei Comuni: the challenge on Viale d'Italia

Since 2008, at the initiative of the then-councilor for culture Stefano Carducci, the historic race has evolved into the Drappo dei Comuni, one of the most fascinating equestrian events in the Lazio region. Thoroughbred horses ridden by jockeys from various regions compete in heats of two along Viale d'Italia, which is transformed for the occasion into a dirt track with double fencing: about 500 meters uphill, with a 'traina' (leash) start, right to the final meter. Each horse runs for a municipality in the district: in the 2025 edition, twelve municipalities competed—including Allumiere, Blera, Campagnano di Roma, Canale Monterano, Civitavecchia, Formello, Ladispoli, Oriolo Romano, Santa Marinella, Tarquinia, Vejano, and Tolfa itself—with thirteen heats including qualifiers, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.

The Week of the Horse: Butteri and Drappo degli Anelli

The Drappo dei Comuni concludes a full week dedicated to the horse: the Regional Butteri Tournament, which reached its 55th edition in 2025, celebrates the skills of the Maremma Lazio cattle herders, while the Drappo degli Anelli sees the local districts compete in a ring-catching race. On the morning of the main day, the districts and authorities parade, followed by the drawing of the heats at the town hall.

The religious heart: procession, balloons, and raffle

The most intimate moment of the festival remains the religious one. A solemn mass is celebrated in the church dedicated to the patron saint, followed by a moving procession through the streets of the historic center. This is followed by a beloved tradition: the release of the Saint Giles paper hot-air balloons from Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, when dozens of large handcrafted balloons rise into the evening sky. The final evening concludes with the Saint Giles raffle and a fireworks display.

Concerts and shows in Piazza Vittorio Veneto

The patron saint's weekend brings music and entertainment for everyone to the stage in Piazza Vittorio Veneto every year: the 2025 edition featured the 'Opera under the Stars' concert, the historic band Dik Dik, a tribute to Franco Califano with Maurizio Mattioli, and an impersonation show inspired by the popular 'Tale e Quale Show'. The artistic direction is entrusted to industry professionals, with the support of the Municipality of Tolfa, the Lazio Region, and the organizational direction of the Pro Loco.

Tolfa, city of the horse in Lazio

Participating in the Saint Giles festival means discovering an authentic corner of the province of Rome: the Tolfa Mountains, a land of pastures, 'butteri', and alum mining traditions, half an hour from Civitavecchia and just over an hour from the Capital. It is an opportunity to savor the truest identity of rural Lazio, among local crafts—such as the famous 'catana' bag—and a community that has proudly renewed its traditions for centuries.