The wine fountains of the Castelli Romani. Yes, actual fountains that pour free wine.
Plan your Italy trip →Every first Sunday of October, the town of Marino (Castelli Romani, 25 km from Rome) celebrates the grape harvest by making its public fountains flow with actual wine instead of water. The tradition dates to the 1571 Battle of Lepanto celebration. The sight of a Renaissance fountain pouring free red wine while 20,000 people fill cups, jugs, and bottles is one of Italy's most surreal and joyful spectacles.
Arrive by noon — the wine starts flowing in the early afternoon and the fountains run dry by 4-5pm. It's genuine local wine (Marino DOC white, actually quite decent). The town fills up fast: combine the free wine with porchetta sandwiches from Ariccia (10 min away), and you have the best free lunch in central Italy.
COTRAL bus from Rome Anagnina metro (30 min) or regional train to Marino Laziale (30 min from Roma Termini). Don't drive — the roads back to Rome are full of people who've been drinking free wine all afternoon.
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