Sagra del cavatello

The Sagra del cavatello of Vitorchiano is one of the most anticipated events of the Viterbo summer, a celebration that passionately honors one of the most representative dishes of Lazio's culinary tradition. This long-standing and cherished festival showcases cavatello, a pasta made through simple production but with extraordinary flavor, crafted with only water and flour and dressed with a tomato sauce fragrant with garlic, oil, chili pepper and wild fennel. Recognized as a traditional agri-food product (Pat) of Lazio, cavatello represents a fundamental element of the local gastronomic identity, distinctly different from the more famous Puglian versions and more akin to Tuscan pici.

The atmosphere of the festival captures the magic of historic Lazio town centers: the small piazza at the heart of Vitorchiano transforms into a great open-air tavern, with long communal tables arranged beneath a splendid Viterbo-style fountain, surrounded by ancient peperino stone buildings that bear witness to centuries of history. Each evening is an opportunity to savor cavatello in its various preparations, immersed in a fascinating and authentic setting that makes the culinary experience even more memorable.

Beyond gastronomy, the event features market exhibitions and musical performances that enliven the evenings, creating a varied program that combines tradition, culture and entertainment. A perfect opportunity to discover the authentic flavors of Lazio and to understand how a simple recipe, passed down through time, can become the symbol of an entire territory.