The “Sagra” (Festival) of the Tellina is annually held, usually in September, by the residents of the Borghetto dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s District).
The “Sagra” regularly draws large numbers of Italians and tourists alike, although especially fans of this really delicious sea food, which is best enjoyed as a spaghetti dish i.e. “Spaghetti con le telline”. One of the events lined up during the festival is a real “must”: the attractive procession of fishing boats with their protector, the Madonna “Stella Maris”, navigating the waters from the Stagno Canal to Ostia’s wharf.
It is a traditional ritual celebrating the “Marriage with the Sea”, an ancient religious rite during which the fishermen strive to gain the favours of the sea via a symbolic marriage between the fisherman and the Madonna.