San Magno Festival
Anagni's medieval patronal feast: historical pageant, districts, and popular devotion
About San Magno Anagni
Anagni's Patronal Feast
Every summer, Anagni, famous as the City of Popes in the heart of Ciociaria, in the province of Frosinone (Lazio), pays tribute to its patron saint San Magno with a festival that weaves together religious devotion, historical memory, and community spirit. The tradition has deep roots: according to legend, the relics of San Magno, a martyr from Trani, arrived in Anagni in 877 when the horses carrying them suddenly stopped in the city. The inhabitants interpreted this as a divine sign and have venerated the Saint as their protector ever since.
The Historical Pageant and the Ten Districts
The scenic heart of the festival is the historical pageant, which parades through the medieval center of Anagni at night with hundreds of participants in period costumes. The AIAM (Associazione Interparrocchiale Anagni Medievale), founded in 1994, preserves over four hundred historically accurate costumes and a rich collection of accessories that evoke the Anagni of its golden age, the era of popes and great medieval events. The parade features the ten city districts: Castello, Tufoli, Trivio, Colle Sant'Angelo, Cellere, Tofano, Valle, Piscina, Portario, and Torre.
The District Palio
The rivalry between the districts reaches its peak in the Palio di San Magno, the historic race that awards the banner to the winning district and ignites the city's passion every year. The patronal festival and historical re-enactments are accompanied by a summer program of shows, music, and community gatherings in the evocative setting of Piazza Innocenzo III and the town's alleys.
The Saint's Procession
Alongside the spectacle, the religious dimension remains central: the procession of the Patron Saint San Magno brings the entire community together in a deeply felt event, renewing the centuries-old bond between the city and its protector. The festival is also the perfect opportunity to rediscover one of the most fascinating villages in Lazio, with its Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, its frescoed crypt, and the remnants of its extraordinary medieval past.
An Identity-Defining Event
Blending faith, history, and folklore, the San Magno Festival represents one of the strongest expressions of identity for the people of Anagni and a major draw for visitors seeking the authentic atmosphere of a Ciociarian patronal feast, where traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
San Magno Anagni — edition 2026
2026 Program
The 2026 San Magno Festival is organized by the AIAM (Associazione Interparrocchiale Anagni Medievale) and takes place throughout the month of August in the historic center of Anagni.
- August 1 - Night historical pageant: departure at 7:00 PM with the parade of the ten districts through the historic center.
- August 3 - Celebration of the memory of Saint Peter of Salerno in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata.
- August 8-9 - First edition of the 'Giochi Popolari': competition between the districts with ten challenges and the awarding of the first Palio.
- August 18 - Traditional procession of the Patron Saint San Magno.
The ten participating districts are Castello, Tufoli, Trivio, Colle Sant'Angelo, Cellere, Tofano, Valle, Piscina, Portario, and Torre. The banner for the first Palio of the 'Giochi Popolari' was created by a student from the Marconi Institute of Anagni.
Programme San Magno Anagni 2026
Highlights San Magno Anagni 2026
Prices San Magno Anagni 2026
Practical information — San Magno Anagni
Getting There
Anagni is located in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio. By car, it can be reached via the A1 Rome-Naples motorway, taking the Anagni-Fiuggi exit, about an hour from Rome. By train, the Anagni-Fiuggi station is served by the Rome-Cassino line; from the station, a shuttle service connects to the historic center, located on the hill.
Admission
Events take place in the historic center and city squares. The historical pageant and the procession are free to attend. Participation in the 'Giochi Popolari' is free, and registration can be done through the AIAM or your specific district.
Tips
We recommend arriving early to secure a good spot for the pageant and wearing comfortable shoes for walking along the cobblestone streets of the medieval village.
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Where does it take place — San Magno Anagni
Centro storico di Anagni