Guides and Articles on Rome

The Estate Romana guides: festivals and holidays, walking itineraries, day trips and practical tips for visiting Rome. They are written by the Tour Leader Pro editorial team and checked against official sources. Every article shows the date of the checks.

Festivals in Rome

Halloween

Halloween in Rome: 5 Places and the Legendary Lemuria Rite

Halloween in Rome: Ovid's Lemuria, fava beans, the Capuchin Crypt, the catacombs and what to order in time for the night of October 31, 2026.

Festivals of Ancient Rome: The Mos Maiorum Calendar, Month by Month

The main festivals of ancient Rome in the mos maiorum calendar: dates, deities, rites and sources, month by month, with links to in-depth articles on each festival.

Fordicidia, April 15: The Sacrifice of Pregnant Cows to Tellus

Fordicidia, April 15: the sacrifice of pregnant cows to the goddess Tellus, the calf ashes used by the Vestals, and the link with the Parilia. Sources and history.

Mundus Patet: The Three Days Rome's Gate to the Underworld Stood Open

Mundus patet: on August 24, October 5 and November 8 the mundus of Rome stood open. What Varro and Macrobius say, the bans, and the possible sites of the pit.

Tigillum Sororium, October 1: The Beam Horatius Passed Under

Tigillum Sororium, October 1: the beam Horatius passed under after killing his sister, the rite of atonement told by Livy, and the altars of Juno and Janus.

Feriae Latinae: The Festival of Jupiter Latiaris on Monte Cavo

Feriae Latinae: the movable festival of Jupiter Latiaris in the Alban Hills, the white bull, the Latin peoples, and the consuls' duty before leaving for war.

Angeronalia, December 21: The Goddess of Silence and Rome's Secret Name

Angeronalia, December 21: the festival of the goddess Angerona, the statue with the sealed mouth and the mystery of Rome's secret name. Macrobius, Pliny and the theories.

Volturnalia, August 27: The Festival of the God Volturnus, Tiber and Rivers

Volturnalia, August 27: the festival of the god Volturnus, a Roman river deity. What Varro and Festus say, why we know so little and what scholars suggest.

Juturnalia, January 11: The Festival of Juturna and the Roman Forum Spring

Juturnalia, January 11: the festival of the nymph Juturna, the spring in the Roman Forum beside the Temple of the Dioscuri and the link to plumbers and water craftsmen.

Paganalia, January: The Village Festival After the Sowing

Paganalia: the movable January festival of the pagi, Rome's rural villages, after the sowing. The rite to Tellus and Ceres, Ovid, Varro and the festival's social meaning.

Opalia, December 19: The Festival of Ops and the Rite of Sitting on the Ground

Opalia, December 19: the festival of Ops, Roman goddess of abundance and wife of Saturn, the rite of sitting and touching the ground and the link with the Saturnalia.

Faunalia, December 5: Faunus's Country Festival as Told by Horace

Faunalia, December 5: the rural festival of Faunus with wine, a young goat and dancing in the meadows, the temple on Tiber Island and Horace's ode. Sources and history.

Septimontium, December 11: The Festival of the Seven Mountains of Earliest Rome

Septimontium, December 11: the archaic festival of Rome's seven mountains before the classical seven hills, the montani, Varro, Festus and Plutarch. History and sources.

Equus October, October 15: The Sacrifice of Mars's Horse in the Campus Martius

Equus October, October 15: the sacrifice of the October horse to Mars, the fight for its head between the Suburana and the Sacravienses, and the blood on the Regia. Sources and studies.

Vertumnalia, August 13: The Festival of Vertumnus, God of Seasons and Fruit

Vertumnalia, August 13: the festival of Vertumnus, Etruscan god of seasons and fruit, the statue on the Vicus Tuscus in Rome and the verses of Propertius.

Ludi Apollinares, July 6-13: The Games of Apollo Founded in the Second Punic War

Ludi Apollinares, from July 6: the games of Apollo founded in 212 BC in the thick of the Punic War, the prophecy of Marcius, the Circus Maximus and the temple of Apollo.

Nonae Caprotinae, July 7: the festival of the maidservants under the wild fig

Nonae Caprotinae, July 7: the festival of Juno Caprotina, the wild fig, Roman maidservants and the legends of Tutula and Romulus told by Plutarch and Macrobius.

Ambarvalia: the Roman procession that purified the fields in late May

Ambarvalia: the procession of a pig, a sheep and a bull around the wheat fields in late May, the suovetaurilia sacrifice and Cato's prayer. Sources and history.

Veneralia, April 1: the festival of Venus Verticordia and Roman women

Veneralia, April 1: the washing of the statue of Venus Verticordia, the myrtle crowns and the cult of Fortuna Virilis, according to Ovid. History of a women's festival.

Anna Perenna, March 15: the Roman festival of the first full moon of the year

Anna Perenna, March 15: the Roman folk festival of the new year, the picnic on the Tiber told by Ovid, the legends of the goddess and the spring at Piazza Euclide.

Regifugium, February 24: the “flight of the king” in the Roman calendar

Regifugium, February 24: the rite of the “flight of the king” in the Comitium, the legend of the exile of Tarquin the Proud and the theories of modern scholars.

Terminalia, February 23: The Roman Festival of Boundaries and the God Terminus

Terminalia, February 23: the Roman festival of the god Terminus, the boundary stone on the Capitoline Hill and the neighbors' rite told by Ovid. History, sources and places.

Ludi Plebei, November 4-17: the historic banquet of Jupiter

Ludi Plebei from November 4 to 17: the history of the games of the plebs, the Circus Flaminius, the banquet of Jupiter on the 13th and where to find them today in Rome on foot.

All Saints in Rome and November 2: Verano and fave, the essentials

All Saints in Rome: the true history of November 1 and 2, official hours of the Verano and the Non-Catholic Cemetery, fave dei morti, mistakes to avoid and what to order.

Halloween in Rome: 5 Places and the Legendary Lemuria Rite

Halloween in Rome: Ovid's Lemuria, fava beans, the Capuchin Crypt, the catacombs and what to order in time for the night of October 31, 2026.

Armilustrium, October 19: Rome's Historic Festival of Arms

Armilustrium, October 19: the Roman festival of the purification of arms on the Aventine. Ancient sources, where it was held and how to mark it today in Rome.

Fontinalia, October 13: the Festival and 12 Rome Fountains

Fontinalia, October 13: what the Roman festival of springs was according to Varro and a walking route of 12 fountains in Rome with a water bottle.

Meditrinalia, October 11: The Ancient Romans' Toast to New Wine (and Where to Drink Today)

Meditrinalia, October 11: the Roman rite of new wine, where to drink today in the Castelli Romani and what you need to recreate it at home with two vintages.

Christmas in Rome Bookings: The Essential 7-Step Plan

Christmas in Rome bookings: what to lock in now (hotel, trains, free tickets for the Pope's Mass) and what can wait, like the Colosseum.

What to Do for New Year's Eve in Rome

Got plans for New Year's Eve? What to do for New Year's Eve in Rome? Start getting ready for New Year's Eve in Rome by signing…

June 29, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome

Every June 29 Rome traditionally comes alive to celebrate the city's patron saints! St. Peter's Square fills up for the Pope's solemn Mass, while parks and…

Ottobrata romana 2026: what it is, the dates and where to enjoy it in Rome and the Castelli

Ottobrata romana 2026, in practice. The ottobrate have no single program. They're the Sundays of October spent outside the city gates, with the sun still warm,…

Events in Rome

Exhibition not to miss

Pontormo at the Scuderie del Quirinale, October 9, 2026 to February 7, 2027

Pontormo at the Scuderie del Quirinale opens on October 9, 2026 and closes on February 7, 2027. The exhibition is staged in the Scuderie del Quirinale…

Digitalatium x Fotonica Festival @ Nuovo Cinema Aquila

DIGITALATIUM by Fotonica Festival :: Young artists, bold visions Audio Visual Exhibitions and Live Performances Opening Night: Saturday, November 23, 20:00 > 23:00 @ Nuovo Cinema…

Free Rome in 3 days: the essential 15-stop itinerary

Free Rome in 3 days: 15 free-entry stops divided by area, the free Sundays, what you now have to pay for (Pantheon, Trevi) and how to save money.

Rome in 4 days: the essential day-by-day itinerary

Rome in 4 days: the day-by-day plan with 19 stops grouped by area, what to book ahead, where to stay, how to get around and what to leave out.

Rome in 3 Days with Kids: The Perfect Plan in 13 Stops

Rome in 3 days with kids: Colosseum, Bioparco, Explora and the fountains of the center, one area a day, with bookings, breaks and what to skip if they're tired.

Rome in 2 Days: The Essential Itinerary, Day by Day

Rome in 2 days: the day-by-day plan with 10 stops divided by area, what to book ahead, where to sleep and what to leave out.

Rome in 3 Days: The Essential Itinerary, Day by Day

Rome in 3 days: the day-by-day plan with 15 stops divided by area, what to book ahead, where to sleep and what to leave out.

San Lorenzo Walking Tour: 9 Stops and the Essential Route

San Lorenzo walking tour in Rome: 9 stops from Porta Tiburtina to the Verano, the story of Montessori and of 1943, when to go and the kit for walking well.

Sabina by Vespa: 5 Stops, Oil and the Historic Via Salaria

Sabina by Vespa from Rome: Via Salaria, DOP olive oil, Farfa Abbey, the Canneto olive tree and Cotilia. When to go, how to get organized and what to bring.

Seven Churches Pilgrimage

The Seven Churches Pilgrimage is a spiritual walk and pilgrim route practiced in Rome as far back as the Middle Ages (7th century), revived and formalized…

Simbruini Mountains: 4 Trails and a Perfect Tour of Subiaco

Simbruini Mountains: trails from Monte Livata to Monte Autore, autumn beech forests, snow, the Sacro Speco in Subiaco, how to get there from Rome and what to pack.

Macchina di Santa Rosa in Viterbo

The Macchina di Santa Rosa in Viterbo is an imposing triumphal canopy that every year in September lifts the statue of Santa Rosa, the city's patron…

Catacombs of Rome

The catacombs of Rome are ancient underground burial areas built by both the Jewish and the Christian communities in the suburbs of the city of Rome…

Mausoleums of Rome: Guide to 26 Ancient Mausoleums and Tombs

Mausoleums of Rome: 26 ancient mausoleums and tombs, from Castel Sant'Angelo to the Appia Antica, with access details, reservations and map locations.

Mausoleum of the Gordians: The Works, the Glass Wall, and the Facts

Mausoleum of the Gordians at Villa Gordiani: timeline of the works, 240 sq m glass wall and staircase, reader objections, and official sources.

Rome in November 2026: an essential plan for events and packing

Rome in November: weather, 2026 events like the Roma Jazz Festival, free museums on November 1, what to see when it rains and what to pack.

Rome Walking Tour: 25,000 Steps, Shoes and Essential Kit

Rome walking tour: how many steps you really take, which shoes to pick, three routes through the center, Trastevere and the Appia Antica, and the kit to bring.

Fornicate: the Word Born Under the Arches of Rome (and Why “porn” Has Nothing to Do With It)

Fornicate comes from the Latin fornix, the arch under which women worked as prostitutes in Rome, including at the Circus Maximus. Porn, instead, comes from Greek: here…

The United States and Ancient Rome: from the Capitol to the Mile, What They Took from the Romans

Capitol, Senate, veto, fasces, Latin mottos on the dollar, Pantheon and Baths of Caracalla: what the United States took from ancient Rome and where to see it.

Pasquinades: the Wisecracks of the Talking Statues That Made Popes Tremble

How pasquinades began, the most famous jokes of Pasquino and Marforio, who the other “wits” were and where you can still hear the voice of Rome today.

Rome by Vespa: 3 Routes, Rules and the Essential Kit

Rome by Vespa in fall: routes to Gianicolo, Aventine and Appia Antica, ZTL and helmet rules, the Sunday mistake and the kit you really need.

Rome in the Rain: 20 Indoor Things to Do and Essential Kit

Rome in the rain: 20 things to do indoors among museums, basilicas and underground sites, the truth about the Pantheon and the kit to stay dry in autumn.

Fall in Rome: The Perfect Packing List for October and November 2026

Fall in Rome: what to pack for October and November, average temperatures, the right shoes for sampietrini, free museums and what to leave at home.

Rome Tech: 15 Gadgets, the Essential Travel Kit

Rome tech: eSIM, power banks, adapters, AirTags, headphones and translators. What you really need to visit the city and what to leave at home.

FREE2MOVE get free credit to try the service in Rome, Milan and Turin - click here for the promo code

FREE2MOVE get free credit to try the service in Rome, Milan, Turin and Florence - click here for the promo code In Rome, Milan, Turin and…

Lime discount code RVTKYFM 2026: essential guide to Rome

Lime discount code RVTKYFM: how to enter it in the app, scooter rules in Rome, mandatory helmet, parking, Metrebus rides and mistakes to avoid.

Cooltra promo code NCMPB: the essential 2026 guide to Rome

Cooltra promo code NCMPB: how to enter it in the app, who it's for, electric moped rules in Rome, parking, helmet and mistakes to avoid.

MIC card Rome 2026: essential guide to free city museums

MIC card Rome 2026: official price, who can get it, museums and archaeological sites included, news for residents, where to buy it and what discounts it gives.

Glovo Delivery - free delivery - promo code YVP9RLG

Glovo Delivery - Discount code: YVP9RLG (2026 bonus for new users of the GLOVO app) Have you noticed how many young people on the street are…

Uber Eats discount code 2026: what changed, essential guide

Uber Eats discount code eats-v18yqh: why it no longer works in Italy since 2023, where to use it abroad and what alternatives there are in Rome for eating.

TheFork Discount Code 7D6E11E3: The Essential 2026 Guide

TheFork discount code 7D6E11E3: how to use it, when the bonus arrives, how restaurant deals work in Rome and mistakes to avoid.

Gifts for People Who Love Rome: 20 Ideas for the Perfect Gift

Gifts for people who love Rome: 20 ideas from books, antique maps, wine, chocolate, the MIC card and experiences in the city, with tips for ordering them in time.

Festivals in Rome

All 31 articles in “Festivals in Rome” →

Practical Guides

All 16 articles in “Practical Guides” →

Macchina di Santa Rosa in Viterbo

Groups and Occasions

Party costumes in Rome: 4 historical themes, the essential kit

Gift Ideas

Gifts for People Who Love Rome: 20 Ideas for the Perfect Gift