Autumn Festival "Stroll and Taste"

The Ciciliano Autumn Festival

As the first leaves turn golden in the Prenestini Mountains, the small village of Ciciliano, in the province of Rome, celebrates the most evocative season of the year with the "Stroll and Taste" Autumn Festival. For an entire weekend, the historic center transforms into a journey of taste and tradition, where the scent of roasted chestnuts mingles with that of steaming soups and new wine. Now a staple of the Aniene Valley's autumn calendar, the event draws visitors from Rome and the surrounding towns.

Stroll and taste through the alleyways

The concept is captured in the name: take a leisurely stroll through the village's cobblestone alleys and taste, stall by stall, the local peasant cuisine. Gastronomic stands set up in Piazza di Corte and along the narrow streets offer polenta with sausage and pork ribs, polenta with broccoli, legume soups with mosciarelle, lamb skewers, and sausage and vegetable sandwiches. There is no shortage of classic roasted chestnuts cooked over a crackling fire and, for those with a sweet tooth, warm fried pizza knots filled with chocolate cream. Everything is paired with craft beer and new wine. Lunch service begins at 12:00 PM, and dinner at 6:30 PM.

Music, crafts, and traditions

Beyond the food, the festival offers a rich entertainment program. In the afternoon, the village streets fill with live folk music, with bands bringing the day to life. A craft market winds along the route, featuring stalls from local artisans and producers, while the Master Cheesemaker demonstrates ancient techniques for making ricotta and cheese. For children, there are creative workshops and magic shows.

Castello Theodoli and the village

The scenic heart of the event is Castello Theodoli, a medieval fortress that dominates the town; its halls and gardens are opened to visitors during the festival. Walking through Ciciliano means discovering an authentic village perched in the Prenestini Mountains, where architecture, history, and nature blend into a timeless landscape. The event is organized by the Gruppo Storico La Panarda, which oversees visitor hospitality and the promotion of local heritage every year.

An autumn of flavors in Lazio

The "Stroll and Taste" Autumn Festival is much more than a food fair: it is a way to rediscover the slow pace and genuine flavors of the Lazio countryside in one of the most characteristic villages of the Metropolitan City of Rome. Located just over forty kilometers from the capital, Ciciliano offers an authentic dive into rural traditions, complete with good food, music, and hospitality.