San Cosimato Flavours and Crafts Market

A market of taste and art in the Aniene Valley

The San Cosimato Flavours and Crafts Market is a late-July highlight that brings the square in front of the San Cosimato Convent to life. Located in Vicovaro, a charming village in the Aniene Valley within the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, the event debuted in 2025 under the theme "The San Cosimato Convent: a blend of Taste and Art." It offers a full day of local food specialties and artisanal goods in one of the most evocative settings in the Tiburtine territory.

The San Cosimato Convent: a unique setting

Perched above the Aniene gorge along the ancient Via Tiburtina Valeria, the convent is famous for the Saint Benedict Hermitages: caves carved into the rock where, according to tradition, Saint Benedict of Nursia stayed before founding the monasteries of Subiaco. During the market, visitors can join guided tours of the hermitages—a rare opportunity to explore a spiritual and historical heritage site that is usually inaccessible. This combination of local flavours, crafts, and cultural discovery sets the event apart from a standard village fair.

The daily programme

The successful format established in the first edition features a full-day programme from morning until late evening:

• 9:00 AM — Market stalls open and guided tours of the Saint Benedict Hermitages begin
• 10:30 AM — Holy Mass
• 12:00 PM — Street food featuring local specialties
• Afternoon — Complimentary fresh watermelon and entertainment
• 5:30 PM — Children's games
• 9:00 PM — Live music followed by the charity raffle draw

Local flavours and crafts

The stalls set up in the convent garden showcase local products from the Aniene Valley and the Lucretili Mountains—including olive oil, cheeses, sweets, and preserves—alongside handcrafted creations and gifts made by local producers and hobbyists. The street food available at lunch and dinner allows guests to dine on-site, enjoying the convivial, family-friendly atmosphere typical of summer village festivals in Lazio.

A community-led event

The market is promoted by the San Cosimato Festival Committee in collaboration with the "Semplicemente Mamme" association of Mandela and the I Tesori della Valle association, with the patronage of the Municipality of Vicovaro. It is a community-driven project: proceeds from the charity raffle support local initiatives, and the entire day is run by volunteers from the valley's villages.

Vicovaro and the Aniene Valley

Vicovaro, the ancient Varia of the Aequi, is a village of Roman origin overlooking the Aniene Valley, approximately 45 kilometres from Rome. The historic centre preserves the Renaissance-style Temple of Saint James and remnants of polygonal walls. Its location along the A24 motorway makes the market an ideal destination for a summer Sunday trip from Rome or Tivoli, combining the discovery of a fascinating Benedictine site with a day of popular celebration.