Santa Procula Festival (Sant'Isidoro Agricoltore)

A neighborhood festival in the heart of the Agro Romano

The Santa Procula Festival, known locally as Santa Procula in Festa, is the patronal feast of the namesake district in Pomezia, located in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio. It is celebrated in honor of Sant'Isidoro Agricoltore, the Spanish saint and protector of farmers—a fitting dedication for an area born from the reclamation of the Agro Pontino and built upon the hard work of the land. The bond between the community and the soil remains the defining spirit of this festival, which traditionally opens with the blessing of the volunteers and a procession through the district's streets.

Where it takes place

The heart of the event is Piazza Araldo di Crollalanza, the square facing the church of Sant'Isidoro Agricoltore. Here, the stage, dance floor, and food stalls are set up, transforming the square into a large open-air dining hall where families, seniors, and local youth gather after evening mass. There are no tickets or fences: entry is free, and you only pay for what you order at the stalls.

The religious aspect

The festival maintains a precise devotional structure. The first day is dedicated to Holy Mass with the blessing of the volunteers, followed in the evening by the procession in honor of Sant'Isidoro Agricoltore, which winds through the neighborhood streets accompanied by the faithful. On subsequent days, evening mass marks the start of the festivities, while the final Sunday is reserved for the Solemn Mass in the morning. It is a moment where the parish and the local community naturally come together.

Roman cuisine at the stalls

One of the main reasons the festival attracts visitors from neighboring areas is the food. The stalls offer a different menu each night, featuring classics of Roman and Lazio tradition:

• Rigatoni all'amatriciana and mezze maniche alla norcina
• Trippa alla romana (Roman-style tripe)
• Fusilli with pork rinds and beans
• Pecora alla callara, a traditional shepherd's dish from the Lazio and Abruzzo regions
• Grilled meats, sandwiches, and homemade desserts prepared by volunteers

Prices remain those of a traditional village festival, and the proceeds support parish activities and the organization of the following year's edition.

Music, dance, and tournaments

The entertainment is primarily provided by local dance schools, which perform at the start of the evening, and dance orchestras that keep the floor busy until late. Recent editions have featured live bands, 90s and 2000s-themed musical shows, and traditional Italian ballroom music. The festival also includes neighborhood rituals like the Marafona tournament—a classic Roman card game—and other evening card competitions. The event concludes with the lottery draw, an unmissable appointment on the final night, sometimes accompanied by a fireworks display.

Why it's worth visiting

Santa Procula in Festa is not a massive regional event; it is the exact opposite, and that is its true value. If you are looking for the authentic Italy of neighborhood festivals—built by volunteers, with the square lit up, tables full, and an orchestra playing under the bell tower—you will find it here. For visitors in Pomezia or along the Torvaianica coast in July, it is an easy way to experience how summer is truly lived in the districts of Pomezia, just a few kilometers from Rome and the ruins of Lavinium.

Part of the Pomezia summer calendar

The festival is part of the broader summer program of the Municipality of Pomezia, which brings together concerts, open-air cinema, guided tours, markets, and patronal feasts across the territory from July to September. Santa Procula represents the most traditional and devotional component of this calendar.