Barbarano Romano Snail Festival

The Snail Festival, the heart of the September festivities

Every year, at the beginning of September, the small village of Barbarano Romano, in the province of Viterbo, transforms into a vibrant stage for flavors and tradition. The Snail Festival is the highlight of the September festivities, a series of events dedicated to the Nativity of Mary that bring the squares and alleys of the historic center to life for several days. Organized by the Pro Loco, in collaboration with the Municipality and the parish of Santa Maria Assunta, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the Tuscia region and nearby Lazio every year.

A tradition spanning over half a century

With over fifty years of history, the Snail Festival is one of the longest-running culinary events in Upper Lazio: in 2025, it celebrated its 52nd edition. Born in the 1970s through the initiative of the Pro Loco, the festival has managed to preserve its authentic village spirit, remaining a cornerstone of the Barbarano community's identity. Once a humble resource from the countryside, the snail has become the true star of an event that unites generations.

The snail, queen of the Barbarano table

The signature dish of the festival is, naturally, the snail, cooked according to a traditional recipe passed down for decades among the volunteers in the Pro Loco kitchens. The snails are stewed and seasoned with tomato, garlic, calamint, and aromatic herbs from the Tuscia region, then served hot at the food stalls set up in the village squares. Alongside the star dish, there is no shortage of other local delicacies and typical products from the Viterbo area, making the festival a complete culinary journey.

• Stewed snails prepared according to the ancient Barbarano recipe
• Food stalls featuring specialties and typical products of the Tuscia region
• Kitchens managed by Pro Loco volunteers

Music, shows, and historical pageant

The Snail Festival is about more than just food. Every evening, the squares come alive with free live concerts, DJ sets, and performances, while afternoons feature activities and entertainment for children, including games, magic shows, and bubbles. The September festivities calendar also includes traditional moments such as briscola tournaments, theatrical performances, and the evocative historical pageant "Santa Maria del Piano. A dream between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance," which parades through the village streets with knights, ladies, pages, and performers in period costumes.

Barbarano Romano, a village of the Tuscia

Nestled in the Marturanum Regional Park, about 30 kilometers from Viterbo and an hour from Rome, Barbarano Romano is a medieval village that preserves valuable Etruscan sites, including the nearby San Giuliano necropolis. Attending the Snail Festival means not only savoring a traditional dish but also discovering one of the most authentic territories in Lazio, rich in nature, history, and local hospitality.