Rocca Festival (Patronal Feast of Saint Charles Borromeo)

The Rocca Festival, the civil celebration of Saint Charles Borromeo

The Rocca Festival is the event through which Rocca di Papa, a village in the Castelli Romani area in the province of Rome (Lazio), celebrates its patron saint, Saint Charles Borromeo. While the saint's liturgical feast falls on November 4th, the community long ago chose to move the civil festivities to early July, when the mild climate of the Alban Hills allows for enjoying the squares until late at night and welcoming those returning to the village for the summer.

Piazza della Repubblica, the natural stage

Everything revolves around Piazza della Repubblica, the nerve center of town life, which transforms into an open-air stage for three days. Food stalls featuring local products are set up around the stage, while the streets of the historic center, climbing up the cone of Monte Cavo, remain a natural extension of the festival.

Music, karaoke, and dance

The program alternates between genres and audiences, with a formula explicitly aimed at involving citizens, families, and visitors. Musical evenings range from collective karaoke to live music and tribute concerts that close the event. Ample space is also given to local talent: local dance schools take to the stage with their students in a showcase awaited by the whole town.

Traditional games: the heart of the festival

The final day is the most heartfelt, dedicated to traditional games in honor of Saint Charles. There are three historic events:

• Corsa delle Fascine dei Quartieri — a relay race where children run while clutching a bundle of wood, divided into teams representing the four historic districts of the town: Campi, Ribelli, Centro Storico, and Vigne.
• Corsa all'Americana — an elimination running race held on a city circuit: at each lap, the athletes at the back are eliminated until four finalists remain to compete for victory in a sprint. It is organized by the ASD Atletica Rocca di Papa.
• Tug-of-War — the test of strength between the districts, which closes the afternoon of games amidst cheering and friendly banter.

These events have represented a moment of identity for the community for years: more than just sports competitions, they are the way Rocca di Papa tells its own story and passes on a sense of belonging to the younger generations.

Rocca di Papa and the Castelli Romani

Just over thirty kilometers from Rome, Rocca di Papa is one of the highest villages in the Castelli Romani, overlooking Lake Albano and the Castelli Romani Regional Park. Its medieval historic center, with the Bavaresi district and the Fortress, offers a suggestive setting for the festival. Those arriving for the Rocca Festival will also find a territory to explore, including trails on Monte Cavo, wineries, and traditional Lazio trattorias.

A free festival for all ages

Admission to the evenings and games is free. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Rocca di Papa with the collaboration of local sports and cultural associations, the Local Police, and the Civil Protection, who ensure the safe conduct of the city races.