Saint Barnabas Patronal Feast

A devotion spanning over four centuries

The Saint Barnabas Patronal Feast is the most cherished identity-defining event in Marino, a town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, overlooking Lake Albano and considered one of the capitals of the Castelli Romani. Its origins date back to the early 17th century: on June 11th of 1615, 1616, and 1617, three violent hailstorms devastated the crops of the Marino countryside. The community, gathered in a popular assembly, asked Cardinal Francesco Sforza to venerate as patron saint the apostle whose liturgical day fell on that very date. Approval was granted on June 4th, 1619, and the festival has been held annually ever since.

The procession, the heart of the feast

The most anticipated moment remains the solemn procession that winds through the alleys and squares of the historic center. The pageant follows a structure codified over centuries: lay groups lead the way, followed by confraternities carrying processional regalia—including two massive 17th-century tapestries and the so-called "basilica," the large yellow-and-red umbrella that symbolically represents the mother church—followed by the clergy, civil and military authorities, and the crowd of faithful. The statue of the saint is carried through the streets lined with spectators, accompanied by marching bands.

The solemn mass in the basilica

The main Eucharistic celebration is held in the Collegiate Basilica of Saint Barnabas, a monumental building whose first stone was laid on June 10th, 1640, and where the first sung mass was held on October 22nd, 1662. It is presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Albano, Monsignor Vincenzo Viva, in the presence of the Mayor, the Executive Committee, the City Council, and local associations. The mass is traditionally followed by the blessing of the city.

The civil side: music, art, and books

Alongside the religious dimension, the municipal administration organizes a multi-day cultural program each year. On the basilica steps and in Piazza San Barnaba, school choirs, youth orchestras, jazz ensembles, and rock and pop bands perform; institutional halls host book launches and in-depth cultural meetings. Outdoor art is also a staple, with spontaneous exhibitions set up along the streets of the center and the Scorci di Marino (Glimpses of Marino) extemporaneous painting competition, which invites artists to capture the city's corners and views from life.

The fair and the popular spirit

Since the 17th century, the festival has been linked to a livestock and goods fair held from June 11th to 18th: a tradition that survives today in the stalls and markets that crowd the center during the festival days. The calendar also includes acts of solidarity, such as lunches offered to those in need, and convivial gatherings involving local parishes and youth centers.

Marino, between wine and memory

Visitors arriving for Saint Barnabas find a city with strong traditions: in October, it hosts the world-famous Grape Festival, the oldest in Italy, and the wine of the Castelli Romani naturally accompanies the June festivities as well. In the local dialect, the patron saint is affectionately called «san Barnipa», a sign of a popular familiarity that speaks louder than any official celebration. Walking between the Fountain of the Four Moors, Palazzo Colonna, and the medieval alleys, one understands why the festival is considered, as local officials repeat, "the moment when the community gathers and recognizes its most authentic values."

Recommended for

• Those seeking an authentic patronal feast just a few kilometers from Rome, far from mass tourism.
• Fans of popular traditions, confraternities, and historical processional regalia.
• Those who love free live music in open-air monumental settings.
• Families, thanks to a widespread, pedestrian-friendly program.