Serate a Minturnae

One of the most evocative Roman theatres in Lazio

The Minturnae Archaeological Park, in the municipality of Minturno (Province of Latina, Lazio), preserves the remains of one of the most important Roman colonies in lower Lazio: the forum, the aqueduct, the thermal baths, and, above all, the Roman theatre, which is still perfectly suited for live performances today. It is here, just a stone's throw from the Appian Way and the sea of Scauri, that Serate a Minturnae, the summer festival promoted by the Minturno municipal administration, comes to life every year.

The formula is simple and has been successful for years: bringing a high-quality program to a site of great archaeological value, capable of appealing to both residents and the tourists who flock to the coastline between Formia, Gaeta, and the border with Campania. The result is one of the most popular cultural events on the Pontine coast.

A multidisciplinary program

Serate a Minturnae is not a single-theme festival. Over the course of a few weeks, the Roman theatre hosts a wide variety of genres, and this diversity is its hallmark:

• Prose theatre, featuring productions and monologues by nationally acclaimed performers;
• Concerts of Italian pop and singer-songwriter music, featuring names well-known to the general public;
• Cultural meetings and lectures, with writers, journalists, and public speakers presenting their work from the stage;
• Classical music, orchestras, and dance, often in collaboration with regional festivals such as the Riviera di Ulisse Festival;
• Performances by local companies and associations, showcased in a dedicated section.

Performances traditionally begin at 9:00 PM, when the temperature becomes milder and the theatre stones release the heat accumulated during the day. The view from the stands is that of an ancient cavea overlooking the countryside and the sea: an experience that goes far beyond the performance itself.

Accessible culture

A key feature of the festival is its pricing policy. The Municipality of Minturno maintains a significant portion of events with free admission every year: in 2026, seven out of ten. Shows featuring major headliners are ticketed, with tickets available online via TicketOne and at local outlets. This approach balances economic sustainability with openness to a wide audience, including families and young people.

Serate a Minturnae within the summer of Minturno and Scauri

The festival is the heart of the municipal summer program, which in Minturno and the seaside district of Scauri includes concerts, guided tours of the archaeological site, family activities, food and wine events, and sporting events along the coast. Those choosing to spend a few days in the area can easily combine an evening at the Roman theatre with a day at the beach, a visit to the Antiquarium of Minturnae, or an excursion to the villages of the Aurunci Mountains.

Why it's worth the trip

In an Italy rich with summer festivals, Serate a Minturnae stands out for the direct relationship between the content and the venue. Watching a theatrical monologue or a concert while sitting where the Roman public took their seats two thousand years ago is not just a scenic detail: it is the very reason why this festival exists and continues to grow in the appreciation of both the public and local critics.