Transhumance Festival (Divino Amore)

A festival dedicated to a UNESCO heritage

The Transhumance Festival takes place in Rome, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, within the open spaces of the Cooperativa Agricola del Divino Amore, along the Via Ardeatina at km 11.5, in the Castel di Leva district, just steps from the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Divino Amore. It is an agro-pastoral event celebrating transhumance, the ancient seasonal migration of flocks between plains and mountain pastures, inscribed by UNESCO on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This is not a staged folkloric re-enactment: the festival stems from the daily work of Lazio's breeders and the farmers' market that enlivens this corner of the Roman countryside every week, having survived the city's expansion. Visitors will find real shepherds, real flocks, and products coming directly from local farms.

What to see and taste

The heart of the event is the practical demonstration of the Lazio sheep's milk supply chain: milking, curd transformation, the birth of still-warm ricotta, and cheese taking shape before the public's eyes. Surrounding these stations is a tasting path featuring the great classics of Roman pastoral cuisine.

• Pecorino Romano PDO, the iconic cheese of the Roman countryside, tasted at various stages of aging
• Abbacchio Romano PGI (lamb) and pecora al cotturo, the traditional slow-cooked mutton in a copper cauldron
• Fresh ricotta, jams, desserts, and local honey products
• The shepherd's breakfast, a convivial Sunday morning moment featuring milk, cheeses, and preserves
• Exhibitions of ancient fruit varieties and local produce linked to the ancient drove roads

Discussing the future of shepherding

The festival has a clear civic mission. Each edition hosts a round-table discussion on the challenges facing the Lazio sheep and goat sector, with the participation of ARSIAL, the Lazio Region, agricultural organizations, and European projects dedicated to extensive grazing and short supply chains. The organizers' message is clear: shepherds play a vital role in safeguarding the territory, natural habitats, and biodiversity, and without generational renewal, this profession risks disappearing.

It is no coincidence that the event has previously been presented under the name Shepherd's Festival, in an autumn edition, with the same structure: demonstrations, tastings, working sheepdogs, and public debate.

Music and atmosphere

As evening falls, the mood shifts. Shepherd songs and folk music groups from Lazio — including the folk group Le Calandre — accompany the tastings, and the evening concludes with live concerts, often featuring covers of classic Italian singer-songwriters. It is a simple, familiar atmosphere, far removed from the grand events of the historic center: outdoor tables, countryside, and the scent of woodsmoke and fresh cheese.

Why it's worth the trip

Less than half an hour from the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the Transhumance Festival offers Romans and visitors direct contact with the agricultural side of the city, the Agro Romano that fed Rome for centuries. It is a family-friendly event where children can get close to the animals and see how cheese is truly made, while also serving as a serious showcase for the province's agricultural businesses. Admission is free and the entire event takes place outdoors.