From 1643 in Villa Santo Stefano the polenta festival to "Feed a host of people" with a hot plate of polenta in the occasion of the Feast of St. Sebastian.
The traditional procession through the streets of the village in honor of the saint is followed by the polenta festival, which is prepared for all the participants in the same way that the polentari used to prepare it in the past.
On a Sunday in January in the streets are lit traditional fires for cooking polenta, peasant food par excellence that has nourished entire populations.
Once upon a time only polenta was distributed without seasoning.
A "polentaio master" is appointed to supervise the party.
A polenta to be enjoyed slowly and topped with broccoli, sausages or the traditional ragù of polentari.
An ancient, and above all secret, recipe is used during the event and kept throughout the rest of the year by the chef for the next generations.
San Sebastian was a tribune of the Praetorian Guard who was martyred with arrows during the persecution by Diocletian (304).
He survived the arrows thanks to the care of the Roman matron Irene, he was arrested again and died scourged. His body is kept in Rome in one of seven minor basilicas.
Follow us