Territory Guide

Guide to Ciociaria

Events, products, traditions and curiosities of the area

calendar_todayUpdated: 27 March 2026·location_onCiociaria, Lazio
1

Introduction

Ciociaria is a land of abbeys and rural traditions, where sagne e fagioli and the amaretto di Guarcino tell the story of an ancient Italy.

The area boasts 3 protected-designation products and 3 dishes of the local tradition and 1 UNESCO heritage sites.

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Upcoming Events & Festivals

Here are the upcoming events in Ciociaria:

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Recurring Events

These events take place every year in Ciociaria:

Festa del Cesanese

Settembre

Piglio

Celebrazione del vino DOCG con degustazioni nelle cantine.

Sagra della Pasta e Fagioli

Agosto

Arpino

Festa del piatto contadino ciociaro per eccellenza.

Certamen Ciceronianum

Maggio

Arpino

Gara internazionale di latino nel borgo natale di Cicerone.

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PDO, PGI and local products

The protected-designation products of Ciociaria represent the excellence of the area:

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What to eat in Ciociaria

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Traditions & Culture

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Infiorata di Spello / ProcessioniGiugno

Corpus Christi processions with streets decorated with flowers in villages throughout Ciociaria.

celebration
Festa delle Ciocie

Celebration of traditional Ciociaria leather footwear with folk dancing and music.

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UNESCO Heritage

starsAbbazia di Montecassino0

Abbey founded by Saint Benedict in 529, the cradle of Western monasticism.

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Nature Parks & Protected Areas

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Parco Regionale dei Monti Ausoni e Lago di FondiParco Regionale

Karst mountains with caves and the coastal lake of Fondi.

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Parco Naturale dei Monti AurunciParco Naturale

Mountains between Ciociaria and the sea featuring wild orchids.

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Historical Figures

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San Tommaso d'AquinoPhilosopher and theologian

The Doctor Angelicus was born in Roccasecca in 1225, in the heart of Ciociaria.

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Local Communities

The festivals and events in Ciociaria are organized by Pro Loco associations and local groups that safeguard the area's traditions:

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Curiosities

1

Ciocie are raw leather shoes tied with laces that give the region its name (Ciociaria).

2

Abbey of Montecassino was founded in 529 by Saint Benedict and destroyed and rebuilt four times.

3

Cesanese del Piglio is the only red DOCG wine in all of Lazio.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1What PDO and IGP products are found in Ciociaria?expand_more

Three protected denomination products are found in Ciociaria, including: Mozzarella di Bufala di Amaseno (PAT), Pecorino di Picinisco (DOP), and Cesanese del Piglio (DOCG).

2What should you eat in Ciociaria?expand_more

Traditional Ciociaria dishes include: Sagne e fagioli, Fini fini alla ciociara, and Amaretti di Guarcino. Each dish tells the gastronomic story of the territory.

3What UNESCO heritage sites are in Ciociaria?expand_more

One UNESCO heritage site is found in Ciociaria: Abbey of Montecassino (Cultural site).

4What are the most famous festivals in Ciociaria?expand_more

Among the most important festivals and events in Ciociaria are: Festa del Cesanese (Piglio, September); Sagra della Pasta e Fagioli (Arpino, August); Certamen Ciceronianum (Arpino, May).

5What natural parks are in Ciociaria?expand_more

Protected natural areas in Ciociaria include: Parco Regionale dei Monti Ausoni e Lago di Fondi (Regional Park), Parco Naturale dei Monti Aurunci (Natural Park).

6Who organizes festivals in Ciociaria?expand_more

Festivals in Ciociaria are organized by local communities such as Pro Loco Piglio and Pro Loco Arpino. These Pro Loco associations and local organizations are the custodians of the territory's gastronomic traditions.