Sant'Ermete Patronal Festival (with the Giostra del Gallinaccio and Historical Pageant)

A patronal festival that also honors the memory of the Duchy of Castro

In the municipality of Ischia di Castro, a village in the Alta Tuscia area of the Viterbo province in northern Lazio, the final days of August belong to Saint Hermes the Martyr, the town's patron saint. The festival is more than just a religious appointment: it is the moment the community re-enacts its historical identity, that of a territory which was once the heart of the Farnese Duchy of Castro, the fiefdom erased in 1649 by the destruction of the city of Castro. Hence the blend, typical of this corner of Tuscia, between popular devotion and historical re-enactment.

The festival calendar

The festivities traditionally take place from August 27th to 31st, with the saint's day set for August 28th. The evening of the 27th opens with the solemn procession: the statue of Saint Hermes is carried through the streets of the historic center by the Sacred Images Bearers Group, accompanied by the Ischia di Castro Marching Band. It is the most intimate moment, when the village lights up and fills with families who have returned home for the occasion.

On August 28th, in the Parish Church of Saint Hermes the Martyr—a medieval building consecrated in 1286 and rebuilt between 1759 and 1766—the solemn mass is celebrated in honor of the patron saint, concluding with the blessing of the Palio and the knights who will compete in the joust in the afternoon.

The Giostra del Gallinaccio

This is the secular heart of the festival. On the afternoon of August 28th, the historical pageant begins: twenty knights in the historical uniforms of the Duchy of Castro and as many participants wearing the colors of the five districts parade through the town to the main square, where the Giostra del Gallinaccio is held. Each district competes to win the Palio, a banner painted each year by a local artist.

The tradition is rooted in ancient imagery: according to local lore, the rooster was a symbol of evil, and the annual jousting ritual served to prevent its return. Saint Hermes, according to legend, was a Roman centurion who converted to Christianity and was martyred for his faith. Today, the joust is organized in collaboration with the Duchy of Castro Knights Association, which oversees the philological reconstruction of costumes and tack.

The medieval encampment and evening events

From 9:00 PM on August 28th, the historic center transforms into a medieval village: encampments, taverns serving period cuisine, traditional crafts, and trades, all set against the backdrop of the Farnese fortress attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The following evenings feature a mix of traditional games, a mechanical bull for the younger crowd, local horse races organized by the municipality, and free open-air concerts, which over the years have hosted folk groups, religious-inspired singer-songwriters like Don Giosy Cento and the Parsifal, Roman street singers, and local pop bands.

Organizers

• Municipality of Ischia di Castro — general coordination and horse races
• Pro Loco — hospitality and entertainment
• Festivities Committee '74 — civil program, Palio, and musical evenings
• Duchy of Castro Knights Association — historical pageant, joust, and medieval encampment

Why it's worth the trip

Ischia di Castro is one of the lesser-traveled destinations in Alta Tuscia: we are just a few kilometers from Lake Bolsena, the Selva del Lamone Nature Reserve, and the ruins of the lost city of Castro. Arriving here at the end of August means experiencing a genuine festival, not one built for tourism, where the audience is not just a spectator but part of the village. Admission to all events is free.