Latium, also called Lazio, is located in central Italy on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Pretty well smack in its center lies Rome, the Eternal City, the capital of Italy and according to its locals, the capital of the world. I don't think you need any festivals or special events to visit Rome. We still choose to present some Roman events, as well as special attractions taking place elsewhere in Latium which represent the real Italy. No matter how you feel about Julius Caesar but should you may want to commemorate his murder by Brutus on March 14th, 44 B.C. You won't have any trouble finding cultural events near his statue at the Roman Forum, pretty well in the center of the city. On the very same day the small town of Marta, population about 3,5000, located some 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Rome hosts the Barabbata, an ancient festival with a procession of farmers and fishermen representing their guilds, tools, and products. Announced by drum rolls, they pass the local church three times, stopping to taste the local wine and Ciambelle, a traditional bread whose snakelike shape is linked to pagan spring festivals. On the third Saturday of the month Rome hosts a Marathon with more than six thousand competitors representing about 50 countries, starting at the Forum and ending at the nearby Colosseum but taking the scenic route. This marathon event (pun intended) virtually closes the city. The city of Sezze, whose population numbers about 20 thousand, is located some 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of Rome. On the final weekend of April it hosts the Sacre del Carciofo (Artichoke Festival) featuring artichokes from the local countryside as well as the well-known local breads. Be sure to try the "Carciofi alla Romana" (seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and mentuccia, a local member of the mint family) and "Carciofi alla Giudea", cooked in the Jewish style, fried crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. As delicious as they can be, artichokes are considered difficult to pair with wine. The best choices are Gruener Veltliner from Austria and then Vermentino from the region of Liguria. If you want a Latium wine, go for a Chardonnay. Towards the end of May head to the city of Albano Laziale, population about 40 thousand, in the suburbs of Rome to enjoy the Festa delle Minenti, (honoring the minenti, the finest and most beautiful girls in town). This festival includes mandolin concerts, horse races, and allegorical floats decorated with flowers. There is a wine tasting and the election of the beauty queen who will ride on the floats. On the second Saturday of May the medieval city of Vetralla, home to some 18 thousand, plays host to the Wedding of the Trees. Two huge oaks are decked out for a wedding to commemorates a papal decree of 1470 that gave the people ownership of a local forest. There are nuts and candy and lots more food.
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