Saint Antimo Patronal Festival

A festival that defines the identity of Nazzano

Perched on a spur overlooking a bend in the Tiber, the small town of Nazzano, in the province of Rome (Lazio), spends the whole year looking forward to the days in May dedicated to its patron saint. The Saint Antimo Patronal Festival is not just another event: it is, as the organizers themselves define it, the main event of the Municipality of Nazzano. Rituals and celebrations are deeply felt by the community, which has nurtured a great devotion for centuries toward its protector, commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on May 11th.

The religious heart: the procession from the church outside the walls

The most solemn moment is the procession that winds through the entire village, transferring the saint's statue and his banner from his extra moenia (outside the walls) home—the evocative Church of Saint Antimo, isolated on a hill reachable via a stepped path—to the parish church in the town center. The saint thus remains by his community's side throughout the summer season: only at the end of October will another solemn procession return him to the basilica dedicated to him, symbolically closing the year's devotional cycle.

The Church of Saint Antimo, a small medieval treasure

It is worth arriving a few hours early to visit the building that gives the festival its name. Documented as early as the 10th century, the church was built with a Latin cross plan in the late Middle Ages and became a parish between the 12th and 13th centuries, featuring three naves preceded by a portico. Numerous Latin inscriptions found on the hill suggest it stands on the remains of a Roman temple, with the marble columns of the naves likely being reused materials. The apse preserves frescoes attributed to Antoniazzo Romano, including a splendid 15th-century Coronation of the Virgin featuring various saints, including Saint Antimo.

The secular side: flag-wavers, theater, and concerts

Alongside the religious sphere, the Nazzano Pro Loco Association builds a wide entertainment program every year designed for all ages. Past editions have featured:

• flag-wavers and costumed pageants through the village alleys;
• comedy shows and cabaret evenings in the square;
• theatrical performances by local companies;
• live concerts during the main evenings of the festival;
• activities and games for children, as well as stalls and refreshment points managed by volunteers.

The anise-flavored blessed bread

The most beloved tradition takes place on the Sunday following the festival, when the church dedicated to the saint is opened for Mass. At the end of the ceremony, along the tree-lined avenue in front of the church, the distribution of anise-flavored blessed bread takes place—soft and fragrant—accompanied by the notes of the Nazzano Music Band. It is the image that best captures this festival: the sacred and the convivial meeting in the shade of the trees, with families sitting on the steps and children running around the churchyard.

Inside the Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve

The festival takes place in one of the most interesting environmental contexts in Lazio: Nazzano is the hub of the Nazzano, Tevere-Farfa Regional Nature Reserve, the first protected area established in the region and a paradise for birdwatching thanks to the lake formed by the river's bend. Those arriving for the patronal feast can easily combine the event with a walk along the reserve's trails or a visit to the River Museum, turning the day into a short itinerary through popular devotion, nature, and the Sabina landscape.

When to go

The festivities are traditionally concentrated from May 10th to 12th, with the vigil on the 10th and the patron saint's day on the 11th. As this is a community-organized festival, the detailed program is released locally only a few weeks in advance: it is advisable to check the dates with the Pro Loco or the Municipality of Nazzano before traveling.