Patronal Feast of Saint Gorgonius the Martyr

The patronal feast in the heart of Tuscia

The Patronal Feast of Saint Gorgonius the Martyr is the most cherished event of the year in Civitella d'Agliano, a small medieval village in the province of Viterbo, Lazio. Perched at just over 260 meters on the edge of the evocative Valle dei Calanchi, overlooking the Tiber Valley and surrounded by the vineyards of the Teverina, the village gathers every year around its protector saint in a blend of popular devotion, tradition, and community spirit.

Saint Gorgonius, patron of Civitella d'Agliano

Saint Gorgonius the Martyr is celebrated on September 9th, the religious heart of the festivities. The patronal day follows a ritual repeated for generations: church bells ring out at the first light of dawn, the marching band parades through the historic center in the morning, and in the late afternoon, the statue of the saint is carried in a solemn procession through the village streets, accompanied by the faithful, local authorities, and music. It is the most intense and participatory moment, where the village reaffirms its sense of belonging.

A religious and secular program

As is the tradition with Italian patronal feasts, the calendar spans several days and combines the liturgical program—masses, novenas, and the procession—with a rich secular program of entertainment. The central squares, from Piazza Cardinale Dolci to Piazza Angelo La Bella, transform into open-air stages for concerts, shows, and dance evenings.

• Free concerts featuring nationally renowned artists and bands, which have brought famous names of Italian music to Civitella d'Agliano over the years;
• Parades and concerts by the marching band, guardian of a long local musical tradition;
• Entertainment for children and families, with games, inflatables, and afternoon shows;
• Food stalls featuring the flavors of Tuscia and local wines;
• Lottery and tombola with great prizes, and the traditional fireworks display to close the festival.

The village of Civitella d'Agliano

Included among the most evocative villages in Lazio, Civitella d'Agliano preserves a medieval layout of alleys, towers, and glimpses of the countryside. Its origins date back to the 11th century, when the Counts of Bagnoregio—later the Monaldeschi della Cervara—built the castle; the village was long part of the Papal States before its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy. Experiencing the Feast of Saint Gorgonius means discovering this authentic corner of the Viterbo Tuscia, far from mass tourism circuits, where the patronal feast remains a collective ritual capable of uniting the sacred and the profane, memory and joy.