There is a certain expression familiar to anyone living in Rome, it describes a special sunny, mild climate that the month of October gifts to the city. The expression is Ottobrata Romana (Roman October). It refers to the warm and still reasonably long early autumnal days of October, to be spent outdoors: returning to the coast, picnicking in parks, strolling in the historic centre, enjoying lunches and aperitifs al fresco. October is a unique month, that harmonizes the pleasures of summer with those of the advancing autumn. Sandals are still the norm, as is a pervasive quiet sense of optimism that Rome magnifies with its glorious sunsets reflected in the golden waters of the Tiber.
The month of October by its nature in Rome, as in many other cities, marks a return to everyday routine. Alongside the resumption of work activities, major exhibitions reopen, as do cinemas, theatres, and clubs — many of which, in truth, are just coming back from their summer venues. Weekend events start up again, and in recent years they’ve been joined by the lingering echoes of the Estate Romana, the summer-long programme of cultural happenings that often stretches its calendar well into November.
For the last few years, on the first weekend of October, Rome’s historic centre has been hosting Roma Diffusa, which is an itinerant event to promote the contemporary soul of Rome, normally overshadowed, in both the collective imagination and the tourist experience, by the ancient one that makes Rome Eternal. BLA studio Agency that launched the initiative is trying to substitute the Eternity label with one of Modernity through this immersive event that — with special openings, performances, concerts, exhibitions, and itinerant shows — puts the city’s creative hub in dialogue with its urban landscape. Thus, a human river flows through the so-called Ansa Barocca, the pedestrian area of the historic centre where galleries and cultural institutions are transformed by the surprising artistic event, surrounded by iconic cafés, boutiques, and local haunts.
The Marino Grapes Festival (Sagra dell’Uva di Marino) offers an interesting option for a day trip out of town. It usually takes place on the first Sunday in October and it is an event with an ancient tradition, very popular, and well-attended.
The town of Marino, not far from the charming Frascati and Castel Gandolfo, with its beautiful lake and its refreshing woods, is only forty minutes from Rome by train.
The iconic event is the annual celebration of the Castelli wine, a rustic type of wine, protagonist of much of traditional Roman tunes. During festival days, at sunset, wine is pumped from the Fontana dei Quattro Mori ( the Four Moors Monument Fountain). Getting anywhere near the fountain is no easy feat due to surging crowds but the fascinating spectacle has its folkloric charm from the right distance. The experience can be capped off with a taste of local delicacies like porchetta ( local style roast pork) , cime di rapa (broccoli rabe) and ciambellone al mosto (grape must ring cake ).
Enjoy!
