Tracce d'Arte nel Borgo

Tracce d'Arte nel Borgo, a widespread exhibition in Formello

Tracce d'Arte nel Borgo is the artistic event that brings the historic center of Formello to life. Located in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, it sits just a few kilometers from the Veio Park. This is not a traditional exhibition confined to a gallery, but a widespread event: artworks are displayed along the alleys, in entrance halls, cellars, and open spaces of the Borgo Sant'Antonio, turning a visit into a stroll through the town's medieval fabric.

Borgo Sant'Antonio, the heart of the event

The neighborhood known to locals as Borgo Sant'Antonio, or "O' Spannitore," was for centuries a hub for artisan workshops and community life. In recent years, it has rediscovered its creative vocation thanks to the presence of artist studios, including the ArteStudio San Sebastiano of painter Sonia Martelloni, housed in a restored hypogean cellar that retains its original vaults and masonry. It is in this setting that Tracce d'Arte nel Borgo finds its natural home, with private spaces opening to the public for the occasion.

What to see

The exhibition route features works by local and guest artists: painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and artistic crafts coexist in the same environments, often with the authors present to discuss their techniques. Alongside the exhibitions, the program typically includes in-depth sessions: performances, readings, book presentations, and small concerts that punctuate the day, engaging even those who arrive in the village without a specific interest in contemporary art.

• Widespread route of artworks through the alleys and spaces of the village
• Artist studios and cellars open to the public
• Meetings with authors and live demonstrations
• Performances, readings, and presentations throughout the day
• Free admission to the entire route

An event that has grown over time

The initiative is promoted by Artestudio with the patronage of the Municipality of Formello and has consolidated its success edition after edition. As early as 2022, the third edition, then titled "Tracce di Arte nel Borgo," was included in the Formello Estate program, featuring two days of exhibitions, a performance dedicated to Sicilian women, and the presentation of the book "La favola del Cremera." In June 2025, the event reached its fifth edition, moving to the beginning of summer.

Formello, between Veio and the Roman countryside

Formello is a medieval village overlooking the Sorbo Valley, within the Veio Regional Park. The town preserves Palazzo Chigi, now home to the Agro Veientano Museum, the Church of San Lorenzo Martire, and a compact historic center made of stairways and small squares, which can be easily explored on foot in a short time. Its proximity to Rome—less than thirty kilometers away—makes it an ideal destination for a half-day trip, perfect to combine with a walk in the park or a gastronomic stop in the village's trattorias.

An event part of the Formello summer

Tracce d'Arte nel Borgo is part of the broader Formello Estate calendar, the festival with which the Municipality enlivens the town's squares and iconic spots between June and August with music, shows, cinema, culture, and gastronomic events. For those visiting the area, it is an opportunity to see the village at its most vibrant, with shops open and residents personally involved in welcoming visitors.