Sant'Aurea Festival

A patronal feast in the medieval village of Ostia Antica

The Sant'Aurea Festival is the patronal feast of the village of Ostia Antica, a historic district of the Rome Municipality (10th Municipality) in the Lazio region. It is traditionally held in May around the Cathedral of Sant'Aurea and Piazza della Rocca, the heart of the 15th-century village commissioned by Giuliano della Rovere, just steps away from the archaeological excavations of Ostia Antica.

This is not a manufactured tourist event, but a true community celebration: the parish, local residents, the youth center, and local associations organize three days that blend moments of devotion with popular gatherings, with the village streets closed to traffic and lively until late in the evening.

Sant'Aurea, patron saint of Ostia

Sant'Aurea is a Christian martyr venerated in Ostia since ancient times: according to tradition, she was put to death during the persecutions and buried along the road leading to the imperial port. The cathedral dedicated to her, built at the end of the 15th century on the site of an ancient place of worship, preserves her relics and remains the seat of the suburbicarian bishop of Ostia. The festival is therefore also a way to share with visitors the long religious continuity of this stretch of the Roman coast, where imperial archaeology and popular devotion coexist just a few hundred meters apart.

What to see during the festival

The rhythm of the days has been established over the years and alternates between liturgy, music, and conviviality:

• Adoration of relics and solemn masses in the Cathedral of Sant'Aurea;
• The procession with the statue and relics of the saint through the village streets, accompanied by the Ostia Lido Marching Band: the most anticipated and photographed moment;
• Concerts in the cathedral and in the square — classical music, opera, polyphonic choirs — followed in the evening by live pop music and DJ sets;
• Group dancing and dance performances, from country to Latin American dance schools;
• Art exhibitions set up in the Salone Riario, open for the duration of the festival;
• Games and activities for children and teenagers organized by the youth center;
• Caritas market and charity stalls;
• Evening food stalls serving sausage sandwiches, arrosticini, French fries, and homemade desserts.

Recent editions have also included a homemade dessert contest dedicated to the saint, with recipes required to reflect the traditional colors of Sant'Aurea: a simple idea that immediately won over the village families.

Why it's worth the trip

Ostia Antica is already famous for its Archaeological Park, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Italy. During the patronal feast, however, the village reveals a different face: that of a real town, with its confraternities, the band, tables set up in the street, and the illuminated square. For those visiting Rome, it is an opportunity to step out of the historic center and discover, just a half-hour train ride from the Colosseum, a vibrant and completely free local tradition.

An event for everyone

Admission to all initiatives is free; you only pay for what you consume at the food stalls, which are managed by parish volunteers, with proceeds supporting pastoral and charitable activities. The spaces are intimate and pedestrian-friendly, making the festival particularly suitable for families with children and those looking for a quiet, authentic event.