Saint Anthony Abbot Festival
Allegorical floats, polenta feast, and animal blessing in the heart of the Castelli Romani
About Saint Anthony Abbot
A tradition spanning over a century
The Saint Anthony Abbot Festival is the most iconic winter event in Monte Compatri, a village in the Castelli Romani overlooking the countryside of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. It is organized by the Circolo Sant'Antonio Abate, an association founded in 1893 by Enrico Carli and Giovanni Felici, which has since preserved the rites, symbols, and memories of an unwavering popular devotion. The Municipality of Monte Compatri supports the event, working alongside the Circolo, the Pro Loco, and local associations.
The role of the 'Festarolo'
What sets this festival apart from many other patronal celebrations is the figure of the festarolo. At the end of each edition, a new president and a new festarolo are appointed, receiving the Circolo's ancient banner and the Saint's sacred icon, respectively. This handover represents a clear commitment: to collect voluntary donations from fellow villagers and build the allegorical float for the following year. Thus, the festival is self-financed and regenerates itself, generation after generation, without ever becoming a top-down event.
Polenta, procession, and floats
The calendar begins on January 17th, the Saint's liturgical day, with a Holy Mass in memory of deceased Circolo members at the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, followed by a procession through the village streets with the Saint's image and the society flag. The parade is accompanied by the Corpo Folkloristico Musicale Compatrum and the Compatrum Majorettes. The evening concludes in Piazza Garibaldi with the polentata, offered free of charge to all citizens: a humble, warm dish that becomes a gesture of community during the coldest season.
The following Sunday is the heart of the festival. After the solemn mass in the Cathedral, the procession descends toward the Passeggiata, led by the Compatrum Band, followed by Circolo members, masked children from the elementary school, local authorities, and allegorical floats inspired by episodes from Saint Anthony's life. Along the route, drawings by local students are displayed, each year reinterpreting the figure of the Egyptian hermit in their own way.
The blessing of the animals
In Piazza Marco Mastrofini, around 12:30 PM, the solemn blessing of the animals takes place. Saint Anthony Abbot is the patron saint of domestic animals and livestock, and in Monte Compatri, the rite retains all its power: dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and farm animals arrive in the square accompanied by their owners. In recent years, the day has also taken on a civic value, with the presence of ENPA and the Fidolandia shelter, alongside a municipal project supporting the adoption of senior dogs, promoted in collaboration with the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital.
Flavors and conviviality
At the end of the morning, the Circolo distributes local products, while the Pro Loco Monte Compatri 2000 offers gadgets to participants. The festival concludes with an evening fireworks display that illuminates the village and, the following Sunday, with a social lunch during which the official handover to the new festarolo and president takes place.
Why it's worth the trip
- One of the oldest and most continuous popular festivals in the Castelli Romani, active since 1893.
- Allegorical floats built by residents, not professionals: spontaneous and authentic craftsmanship.
- Blessing of the animals open to everyone, with a strong commitment to animal welfare.
- Free polenta and local products in the middle of winter, just half an hour from Rome.
- A scenic village in the Alban Hills, ideal for a day trip.
Saint Anthony Abbot — edition 2026
Saint Anthony Abbot Festival 2026
From January 17 to 25, 2026, Monte Compatri celebrated its most heartfelt festival with a program blending spirituality, folklore, and conviviality. The main day featured allegorical floats inspired by the Saint's life and hundreds of animals brought to the square for the blessing. Notably, the ENPA of Rome was present with volunteers from the Fidolandia shelter in Castel Madama, showcasing adoptable dogs and presenting the municipal project for financial support for the adoption of senior dogs, promoted in partnership with the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital.
The festival concluded on Sunday, January 25th, with a social lunch at the Lo Sperone restaurant and the handover of the sacred icon and ancient banner to the new festarolo Marco Corsi and the new president Fabrizio Pistelli.
Programme Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Church of San Michele Arcangelo: Holy Mass in memory of deceased members of the Circolo Sant'Antonio Abate.
- 6:30 PM — Procession through the village streets with the Saint's image and the Social Flag, accompanied by the Corpo Folkloristico Musicale Compatrum and the Compatrum Majorettes.
- 7:00 PM — Piazza Garibaldi: traditional polentata open to all citizens.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Educational farm activities with La Collina degli Asinelli.
- 10:30 AM — Cathedral: solemn mass in honor of the Saint and blessing of the porcelain painting.
- 11:30 AM — Traditional procession with the Saint's statue, led by the Compatrum Band and followed by the Circolo, masked elementary school children, authorities, and allegorical floats inspired by the Saint's life; along the route, an exhibition of drawings by students.
- 12:30 PM — Piazza Marco Mastrofini: solemn blessing of the animals.
- Late morning: distribution of local products by the Circolo, gadgets offered by the Pro Loco Monte Compatri 2000, and stands from local associations (including ENPA and the Fidolandia shelter).
- 6:00 PM — Fireworks display.
Sunday, January 25, 2026
- 1:00 PM — Lo Sperone restaurant: social lunch with the handover of the sacred icon and ancient banner to the new festarolo Marco Corsi and the new president Fabrizio Pistelli, and presentation of the 2026 calendar.
Highlights Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
- Procession with the Saint's statue led by the Compatrum Band and masked children.
- Allegorical floats inspired by Saint Anthony's life, built by citizens.
- Free polenta feast in Piazza Garibaldi on the evening of January 17th.
- Solemn blessing of the animals in Piazza Marco Mastrofini.
- ENPA stands and project supporting the adoption of senior dogs.
- Evening fireworks display over the village.
Prices Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Practical information — Saint Anthony Abbot
How to get there
By car from Rome: Take the Grande Raccordo Anulare, exit 20 towards Via Casilina, then follow signs for Monte Compatri (approx. 30 km, 40 minutes). By train: FL4 line (Rome Termini-Frascati) or Rome-Cassino line to Monte Compatri-Pantano, then take a Cotral bus to the historic center. Metro C ends at Monte Compatri-Pantano, with connecting bus services available.
Where it takes place
Celebrations take place in the historic center: Church of San Michele Arcangelo, the Cathedral, Piazza Garibaldi, the Passeggiata, and Piazza Marco Mastrofini. The village is hilly and largely pedestrianized during the procession: comfortable shoes are recommended.
Costs
Participation in the mass, procession, parade, animal blessing, and fireworks is free. The polenta feast in Piazza Garibaldi is offered to the public. The social lunch at the restaurant is reserved for Circolo members by reservation.
Tips
It is January and Monte Compatri is at an altitude of about 580 meters: it gets cold in the evening, so dress warmly. Those bringing animals to the blessing must keep them on a leash or in a carrier. Parking in the center is very limited during festival days: it is best to leave your car in the lower areas and walk up.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anthony Abbot
Centro storico, Piazza Marco Mastrofini e Piazza Garibaldi