Santa Dolcissima Festival

The patron saint of Sutri since 1664

Santa Dolcissima, a 3rd-century virgin from Sutri and martyr for the faith, has been the town's official patron saint since 1664, when she replaced Saints Felice and Eusebio following an epidemic. Her dies natalis, September 16th, is commemorated by a medieval inscription kept in the chapel dedicated to her inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which houses the wood and silver statue attributed to the Bernini school, completed in 1706. The festival that the Municipality of Sutri and the parish community dedicate to her each September is one of the most heartfelt in the Viterbo Tuscia area, with roots dating back to the 17th century, when it was already celebrated with public processions, horse races, velvet palios, and fireworks.

The procession of September 16th

The most solemn moment of the festivities is the evening procession on September 16th: the saint's effigy is carried on the shoulders of members of the association established in 2003 through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by the ancient confraternities of the Santissimo Sacramento - Santa Croce and the Santissimo Nome di Maria, the town band, and a large popular turnout. Throughout the day, festive masses are held in the Cathedral, including the solemn sung mass in the morning, while in the following days, the statue is returned to its chapel with a concluding celebration.

Concerts, tombola, and traditional games

Surrounding the religious core, the secular program animates Piazza del Comune and the rest of the town for three or four days, typically between September 15th and 18th. Over the years, the square has hosted free concerts by national artists: in 2025, it was Paolo Belli's turn with his twelve-piece Big Band, while past performers have included Fausto Leali and Max Giusti. Traditional events are also a staple: the tombola with a generous prize pool, the town band concert, the Ancient City of Sutri footrace, the equestrian gymkhana, and youth sports tournaments.

Fireworks in the Roman amphitheatre

The grand finale is the fireworks display in the Roman amphitheatre of Sutri, an extraordinary arena carved into the tufa in the Etruscan-Roman era, illuminated by torches for the occasion. For twenty to thirty minutes, the fireworks reflect off the ancient tiers in one of the most evocative settings in the Lazio region—an event that draws residents and tourists from across the region every year.

An opportunity to discover the ancient city

The festival is the perfect excuse to visit Sutri, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (Borghi più belli d'Italia), located along the Via Francigena. During the patronal days, guided tours are often organized at the Archaeological Park, featuring the amphitheatre and the mithraeum, as well as the Palazzo Doebbing Museum. The village, halfway between Rome and Viterbo, guards a unique heritage that serves as a natural backdrop for the festivities promoted by the Municipality in the heart of the Viterbo province and the Lazio region.