Agnello a Bujone Festival in Valentano (Ceniamo Insieme)

A signature festival of the Farnese Tuscia

For over forty years, in the evenings following Ferragosto, Valentano has celebrated the Agnello a Bujone Festival, one of the longest-running and most beloved gastronomic events in Upper Tuscia. The village, overlooking Lake Bolsena in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, gathers in Piazza della Vittoria, at the foot of the Rocca Farnese, for four evenings dedicated to the dish that gives the event its name: lamb cooked 'a bujone', following an ancient Maremma tradition. Organized by the Pro Loco Valentano, the festival is now also promoted by the municipality under the name 'Ceniamo Insieme', highlighting the convivial spirit of a celebration that fills the historic center with long tables, rich aromas, and music.

Agnello a bujone, a dish born of necessity

Agnello a bujone is a rustic, flavorful stew typical of the peasant and Easter cuisine of the Viterbo hinterland: the lamb, now also enhanced with local IGP meats, is slow-cooked in a sauce until it becomes incredibly tender. It was the dish that, in the Maremma countryside, completed meals during lean times and was prepared by families on festive occasions. The festival has turned it into a symbol of Valentano's identity, safeguarding the traditional recipe and the slow-cooking method that is its secret.

The menu: 'solco dritto' chickpeas, tortelli, and lake wines

Alongside the lamb, the food stalls offer other staples of Valentano cuisine: 'solco dritto' chickpeas, linked to the famous local agricultural tradition of the ritual Ferragosto sowing; ricotta tortelli prepared according to old-fashioned recipes; 'biche' with tuna (fresh pasta typical of the lake area); cured meats; bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil; sausages; and French fries. Local wines flow in the glasses, from Aleatico DOC to Est! Est!! Est!!! DOC from Montefiascone, while the Canino DOP oil highlights the olive-growing vocation of this corner of Lazio. The event focuses on organic, short-supply-chain products, with tangible benefits for the town's agricultural economy.

The setting: Piazza della Vittoria and the Rocca Farnese

Dining at the festival means eating in one of the most evocative settings in Tuscia: Piazza della Vittoria is dominated by the Rocca Farnese, the imposing fortress that was once the residence of the Farnese family and now houses the Museum of Prehistory of Tuscia and the Rocca Farnese. The outdoor tables, the lights on the ancient stone, and the live music accompanying each evening create a genuine village festival atmosphere, capable of attracting food lovers from across the province of Viterbo and the nearby borders of Tuscany and Umbria.

A recognized 'Quality Festival'

The commitment of the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Valentano to promoting traditional products and environmental sustainability earned the event the 'Sagra di Qualità' (Quality Festival) mark from the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy (UNPLI), awarded to the 2019 edition. A recognition that rewards a simple and winning formula: authentic cuisine, popular prices, free entry, and the pride of an entire town that, for over four decades, has set its tables in the square every summer to welcome visitors.