Festivals and Celebrations

In April in Nettuno a party entirely dedicated to biodiversity and nature. A day to learn about some plants of agricultural biodiversity, including conferences and many themed activities for the joy of adults and children.

An initiative to promote and sensitize visitors to the importance of the recovery of ancient seeds and the preservation of forgotten local crops, in an event that every year attracts hundreds of onlookers from all over the province.

Free and mutual exchange of seeds, self-produced plants and much more takes place throughout the event.

The patron San Vincenzo Ferreri of this small village of Sabina is celebrated on April 5th with great celebrations.

The day begins with the traditional mass in honor of the Saint, followed by a solemn procession through the streets of the town of Montebuono.

During the entire duration of the event it is possible to visit many craft stalls and watch some shows organized for the occasion, which envelop the small town of Montebuono in a festive atmosphere.

The Feast of San Filippo Neri patron of Cecchina are organised by the Pro Loco of Cecchina and include shows and festivities rich in plays, music, entertainment and comedy that involve all the citizens.

This patron saint's festival has its own parish centre and events take place using the areas of the Villa del Vescovo (Bishops Palace) and the area in front of the local train station.

This festival is a tradition that has been repeated over the years and a highly anticipated event, which is a success with each surprising new edition.

For example, in the 2017 edition many local businesses were involved, from the Cecchina middle schools that contributed to the creation of the programme booklet, to the dance schools that performed before the main scheduled evening events that included comedians, light music and even a vintage car rally.

At the end of March the marvelous Abbey of the village of Castelnuovo di Farfa organizes for the occasion a great spring fair ("Fiera di Primavera") that brings together the excellence of the territory.

Crafts, gastronomy and much more on display during a weekend dedicated to all the people who want to spend a relaxing day in one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Rieti.

The National Fair of Grottaferrata is one of the largest events in the province of Rome, bringing together producers from all over the territory in the most varied sectors, from crafts to gastronomy.

In March there is a week of meetings and events, both for exhibitors and visitors to rediscover local traditions and entrepreneurs.

The fair of Grottaferrata has medieval origins and is closely linked to the Abbey of San Nilo. In the Middle Ages they were often fairs started in pilgrimage areas during special religious celebrations.

In Grottaferrata many pilgrims came to the Church of St. Mary in the Annunciation (March 25) and to the Nativity of Our Lady (September 8).

These festivals have become, therefore, a natural part of trade exchanges that led to the birth of the fair that still takes place in the spring.

The fair combines the traditional and the present: next to the stands dedicated to crafts and wine and food are spaces dedicated to ecology, publishing and architecture.

At the end of March the town of Nazzano celebrates with the Festival of Gnocchi.

A weekend of tasty local food in this small town in the province of Rome, dedicated to one of its most popular dishes: gnocchi.

These little golden dough goodies are prepared and served throughout the day by the expert hands of the volunteers of the Nazzano Pro Loco.

They are dressed in the several different condiments, mutton sauce, mushrooms and other delicious local sauces.

The spirit is refreshed with live music shows and folk bands organized for the occasion.

At the end of March the small village of Montasola, in the province of Rieti, celebrates its typical dishes with "Pecora a lu Callaru” Festival or festival of cooked sheep.

A day to taste some of the most delicious typical dishes based on sheep meat, such as pasta with mutton sauce and "la pecora a lu callaru".

Even if the food speaks for itself, throughout the day there are stands of agricultural products and plants.

Sagra della Crespella by Aldo Pjergergji

The crespella is one of the traditional sweets of Veroli and is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month of March after 9 with a festival in the village of Santa Francesca di Veroli.

A donut fried in olive oil prepared with love by the crespella makers of Veroli and offered to all travelers participating in this festival.

A day not only dedicated to food, but also to the tradition that revolves around this dish as particular as it is tasty.

For the duration of the party it is possible to attend the performances of local folk groups, dressed in the traditional ciociarian costume, and visit the many local craft stalls that wind through the streets of the village.

The history of the crespella is particular and a legend tells that two Verolani (perhaps just of the fraction of Santa Francesca) were on the Adriatic to a festival dedicated to fried fish in which these fish cooked in large pots were given to the participants.

Back in Veroli, they decided to do something like this by giving donuts for the feast of Santa Francesca Romana.

In 1964, then, two parish priests decided to combine the festival with the construction of allegorical wagons pulled by animals and which had to represent a cross-section of rural life.

So everyone wears Ciociaria clothes and takes off with the rhythm of the ballerina and with popular songs: each band has its own band.