Event Details
Welcome to the Sagra dell'Uva in Marino 2026
On Sunday, 4 October 2026, the hillside town of Marino in the Castelli Romani hosts one of Italy's most extraordinary and beloved harvest festivals. The Sagra dell'Uva has been celebrated since 1925, and each year its historic fountains flow with local wine instead of water. Located just 20 kilometres southeast of Rome in the Alban Hills, the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across Italy and beyond.
History and Background
The Sagra dell'Uva was founded in 1925 by poet Leone Ciprelli to celebrate the region's winemaking heritage and boost the local economy. The festival also commemorates the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571, in which Marcantonio Colonna from Marino commanded the papal fleet to victory over the Ottoman navy. According to local legend, when news of the triumph reached Marino, the town's fountains miraculously flowed with wine. This "miracle" is re-enacted every year at the Fontana dei Quattro Mori on Piazza Matteotti, the iconic centrepiece of the celebration.
Highlights
- Wine Fountains: The Fontana dei Quattro Mori on Piazza Matteotti flows with local white wine instead of water in the afternoon
- Historical parade through the Old Town in Renaissance costumes
- Re-enactment of the Battle of Lepanto
- Tasting stands serving Marino DOC white wine (Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes)
- Food stalls with regional specialities including porchetta, roasted chestnuts and olives
- Folk music, concerts and evening performances across the historic centre
- Open cellar tastings with local wine producers
Program
The festival runs throughout the day. In the morning, food stalls and local wineries open for tastings across the historic centre. In the afternoon, the main historical costume parade winds through town, reenacting Marcantonio Colonna's return from Lepanto. The most anticipated moment arrives when the Fontana dei Quattro Mori switches from water to wine. The exact time is announced locally each year but traditionally takes place in the afternoon. Evening concerts and fireworks bring the festivities to a close.
Tickets & Prices
Entry to the Sagra dell'Uva is completely free. Food, wine and drinks at the stalls are paid for separately. The wine served from the fountains and stands is an authentic Marino DOC Bianco, produced from Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes grown in the volcanic soils of the Alban Hills.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early: Piazza Matteotti fills up quickly, especially around the wine fountain moment.
- Take the train from Roma Termini (FL4 line towards Albano Laziale, stop: Marino-Cava dei Selci). The Regione Lazio runs extra trains on the day of the festival.
- Driving to Marino on festival day is strongly discouraged; public transport is the best option.
- Bring a cup or small bottle to make the most of the fountain moment.
- Combine the visit with a trip to nearby Frascati, Castel Gandolfo or Grottaferrata.
- Book accommodation in Marino or the surrounding area well in advance; a day trip from Rome is also very comfortable.
