Sant'Eustachio Festival

A patronal feast listed in the Lazio Historical Re-enactment Register

Just over forty kilometers from Rome, perched on the Prenestini Mountains, the town of Poli (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio) celebrates its patron saint, Sant'Eustachio, every September. This is no ordinary festival: the event is officially listed in the Lazio Region Historical Re-enactment Register and has been managed since the 1990s by the cultural association Le Donne del Vicolo, in collaboration with the municipal administration and the local parish.

From the 1633 decree to the present day

The official origins of the festival date back to 1633, when Cardinal Aldobrandini, at the request of Duke Lotario II Conti and his son Torquato, granted the decree establishing the Sant'Eustachio Fair. For nearly four centuries, the village has come to a standstill around September 20th, the date associated with the saint's martyrdom. Popular devotion, however, is even older and is deeply intertwined with the history of the Conti fiefdoms in this corner of Lazio.

The legend of Placido

Sant'Eustachio was originally named Placido and was a Roman general serving under Emperor Trajan. Tradition holds that while hunting in the mountains above Poli, he saw a glowing cross appear between the antlers of a stag and heard the voice of Christ. After converting and being baptized with his wife Teopista and their children Teopisto and Agapio, he lost his wealth and family, only to be reunited with them before suffering martyrdom under Hadrian. It is this story—conversion, trial, and reunion—that comes to life every year in the village alleys.

What to see during the festival

• The Sant'Eustachio Proclamation, which officially opens the festivities in the late afternoon of the first day.
• Screenings at the Museum of the Territory: films such as «The Legend of Placido» and documentaries where residents share stories of the village's work, rituals, and affections.
• The «In the Footsteps of the Saint» pilgrimage, a morning trek from the village toward the area's Marian sites and the famous Mentorella Sanctuary on Mount Guadagnolo.
• The dialect re-enactment of Placido's life, performed in scenes throughout the historic center on Sunday morning.
• The procession featuring the painting of Sant'Eustachio and period costumes, accompanied by flag-wavers and musical groups from neighboring towns.
• The Hospitality Festival, the most anticipated moment: in the afternoon, the local districts set up tables and stalls in the alleys, offering traditional peasant cuisine to visitors for free.

The Hospitality Festival: dining in the alleys

This is the formula that has made Poli known far beyond the Prenestini Mountains. Families open their doors, cellars, and kitchens to distribute typical first courses, beans, grilled meats, polenta, cheeses, porchetta, homemade desserts, and local wine. There are no tickets or price lists: hospitality is the very essence of the day, and the alleys fill with popular songs and dances until evening.

When to go

The festival traditionally takes place on the weekend around or immediately following September 20th, spanning three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). In 2025, it was held from September 19th to 21st. For the 2026 edition, the official calendar has not yet been released at the time of writing: it is advisable to check the dates on the Poli municipal website or the channels of the Le Donne del Vicolo association before setting off.

Why it's worth the trip

Poli is a village of a few thousand inhabitants, with a compact historic center dominated by the Palazzo Conti overlooking the valley. During the festival, the town becomes an open-air theater: religious, historical, and convivial dimensions overlap seamlessly. For those arriving from Rome, it is one of the most authentic opportunities to understand what a patronal feast still means today in the interior of Lazio.