7 Soups Festival (Pisterzo)

A festival that tells the story of Lepini peasant cuisine

The 7 Soups Festival takes place in Pisterzo, a small hamlet in the municipality of Prossedi, in the province of Latina. Nestled in the heart of the Amaseno Valley at the foot of the Lepini Mountains in southern Lazio, this event has been running for over forty years. Organized by the Pro Loco of Pisterzo, it draws hundreds of visitors to the village for an evening dedicated to recipes passed down through generations of local women.

What are the seven soups?

The Pisterzo soup is no ordinary dish: it is a staple of cucina povera (peasant cooking), created in times when bread was never wasted. Thin slices of stale bread are layered in large bowls and soaked in a different dressing for each version—hence the number seven, which gives the festival its name.

• Bean soup
• Chickpea soup
• Lentil soup
• Fava bean soup
• Onion soup
• Broccoli rabe soup
• Soup with pork rinds

These are simple ingredients from the garden and pantry, cooked with local extra virgin olive oil and served hot. The result is a tasting experience that speaks volumes about the gastronomic identity of the Lepini region.

The evening in the village

The program has followed the same rhythm for years, which is part of the festival's charm. In the late afternoon, the narrow streets of the historic center fill with children's entertainment and roving performances: folk groups, young musicians playing the organetto and electric violin, and the San Michele Arcangelo Band. The most heartfelt moment is the blessing of the soups, a ritual gesture that precedes the start of the service. Only afterwards, as evening falls, does the dining begin, with guests seated at tables set up in the village squares.

Why it's worth the trip

Pisterzo is a tiny village clinging to the hillside overlooking the Amaseno Valley. During the festival, the entire town transforms into a kitchen and dining room. There is nothing staged for tourists here, which is why the event is considered one of the most authentic in the Pontine summer. Visitors from outside the region will find here, condensed into a few hours, the essence of a rural tradition that has been lost elsewhere.

Part of the Pisterzo summer calendar

The 7 Soups Festival is the highlight of the Estate Pisterzana (Pisterzo Summer), a program of concerts, parties, and other festivals—including the historic Fig Festival—that brings the hamlet to life between July and August. It is the perfect time to explore the nearby villages of the Compagnia dei Lepini, from Prossedi to Roccagorga, with their Romanesque churches, scenic trails, and local products.

An intangible heritage of Lazio

With over forty-four editions behind it, the festival has become a piece of intangible heritage for the Lazio Region. It does not celebrate a single product, as is often the case, but rather a cooking method and a way of coming together. This is what sets it apart from the dozens of other summer festivals in the province of Latina.