Sagra · October 2, 2026 – October 18, 2026 · Soriano nel Cimino (VT)
The Sagra delle Castagne in Soriano nel Cimino is a historical reenactment event celebrating the chestnut, a typical fruit of Alto Lazio for centuries. With over 700 participants in medieval and Renaissance costumes, it features flag-wavers, historical parades, a palio (race) between the contrade (districts), musical performances, and tournaments. Local taverns serve traditional recipes based on the autumn harvest.
Local taverns will be serving traditional recipes that highlight the autumn chestnut harvest, offering a unique taste of regional specialties rarely found elsewhere.
🌰 59th SAGRA DELLE CASTAGNE – SORIANO NEL CIMINO 📅 From October 2 to October 18, 2026 🎭 LEADING UP TO THE FESTIVAL 📅 Saturday, September 12 🩸 8:30 AM - Blood donation “Le Contrade per l’Avis” 📅 Saturday, September 19 🎭 9:00 PM - “Il Fantasma Marcello” – The tragic death of Marcello Capece and Violante Diaz – Teatro Florida 📅 September 19-20 🏰 Conference “La Regola e la Rocca” – Soriano nel Cimino between Orsinian memory and Franciscan spirituality 🕙 September 19: Press conference and Sagra presentation, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 📚 September 19: Three conferences, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 📚 September 20: Three conferences, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 👗 Starting Saturday, September 26 🏰 11:00 AM - Exhibition of historical clothing and jewelry “Vestimenta Historiae” – Castello Orsini 🏰 FIRST WEEKEND 📅 Thursday, October 1 🍽️ 8:00 PM - AIDO Charity Dinner – Taverna del Drago 📅 Friday, October 2 🎨 Collective exhibition “Giulia Farnese” – Palazzo Chigi-Albani 🎺 5:30 PM - “Rostiva i polli e le castagne in forno” – Concert by the Soriano nel Cimino Musical Band 🔥 9:30 PM - Opening Ceremony of the 59th edition, Blessing and Investiture of Archers and Knights, Challenge Launch, Offering of Candles and Gifts to the Church 📅 Saturday, October 3 🛍️ 9:00 AM - Mercatino del Belvedere – antiques, collectibles, and vintage 🎨 10:00 AM - “Alla Corte del Castello” – artistic market 🦅 4:30 PM - Falconers' Exhibition 🎭 5:30 PM - Entertainment with the Compagnia del Lauro 🏆 6:00 PM - Award for work recognition 🥁 9:30 PM - Performance by the Gruppo Musici della Contrada Papacqua and Gruppo Storico Spadaccini del Rione Rocca 📅 Sunday, October 4 🛍️ 9:00 AM - Mercato del Belvedere ⛪ 9:00 AM - Holy Mass and guided tour of the Chiostro della Madonna del Poggio 🛍️ 9:30 AM - Market Fair 🎨 10:00 AM - “Alla Corte del Castello” – artistic market 🚩 10:00 AM - Exhibition of Flag-wavers, Fire Performers, and Musicians 🏰 10:00 AM - Guided tours “Soriano tra Storia e Leggenda” 📜 12:00 PM - Reading of the Challenge Proclamation 🏇 2:00 PM - Parade departs for the Campo de li Giochi 🏆 3:00 PM - Dispute of the Palio delle Contrade 🎭 3:30 PM - Entertainment with the Compagnia del Lauro 🏆 6:00 PM - Proclamation of the Palio delle Contrade winner 🏰 SECOND WEEKEND 📅 Thursday, October 8 🍽️ 8:00 PM - Charity Dinner – CRI Section 📅 Friday, October 9 🚩 9:30 PM - Performance by the Flag-wavers and Musicians of the Nobile Contrada Trinità 🔥 Followed by - Performance by Musicians, Fire Performers, and Armigers of the Contrada San Giorgio 📅 Saturday, October 10 🛍️ 9:00 AM - Mercatino del Belvedere 🎨 9:00 AM - “Alla Corte del Castello” – artistic market 🏰 10:00 AM - Guided tours “Soriano tra Storia e Leggenda” ⚔️ 4:00 PM - Performance by the Giovani Musici della Contrada Papacqua and Giovani Spadaccini del Rione Rocca 📚 6:00 PM - National Historical Book Award “Fidelitas” 🏰 9:30 PM - Historical Reenactment “Terre Nostre Suriani: Annales 1279-1489” 🔥 Followed by - Torture Exhibition at Castello Orsini 📅 Sunday, October 11 🛍️ 9:00 AM - Mercatino del Belvedere and “Alla Corte del Castello” 🏆 10:30 AM - 45th Edition of the National Award “Vojola d’Oro” 🏰 3:15 PM - Historical Parade “Soriano e i suoi Rioni” 🏰 THIRD WEEKEND 📅 Tuesday, October 13 🍽️ 8:00 PM - Charity Dinner – Avis “Dante Terzini” Section 📅 Thursday, October 15 🚶 10:00 AM - “Soriano nel tempo” – storytelling walk for students 🍷 8:45 PM - “Convivium Secretum” – food and wine journey through the Taverns of Contrade Trinità and Papacqua 📅 Friday, October 16 🏫 10:00 AM - “Le scuole incontrano le contrade” – schools meet the contrade 🍷 8:45 PM - “Convivium Secretum” – food and wine journey through the Taverns of Contrada San Giorgio and Rione Rocca 📅 Saturday, October 17 🛍️ 9:00 AM - Mercatino del Belvedere 🎨 10:00 AM - “Alla Corte del Castello” – artistic market 🏰 10:00 AM - Guided tours “Soriano tra Storia e Leggenda” 📚 10:30 AM - Roundtable on historical and food and wine tourism in Lazio 🎯 3:00 PM - Traditional Games – challenge between the four Contrade ⛪ 6:00 PM - Presentation of the restoration project for Andrea Bregno’s 16th-century oil lamp 🥁 9:30 PM - “Tamburi e Spade, Bandiere e Fuoco” – performance by the groups of the four Contrade 🔥 Followed by - Torture Exhibition at Castello Orsini 📅 Sunday, October 18 🛍️ 9:00 AM - Mercatino del Belvedere and “Alla Corte del Castello” 🏰 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - “Alacris Civitas” – scenes of daily life in medieval and Renaissance Soriano 🏆 3:00 PM - Award ceremony for the best “Alacris Civitas” scene and “Convivium Secretum” 🌰 3:00 PM - Roasted chestnut tasting 🔥 5:00 PM - Torture Exhibition at Castello Orsini