Bighero Festival

Bighero, the soul of Monterosi on a plate

Some towns tell their story through monuments, others through a dish. Monterosi, a town of just over four thousand residents in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region, firmly belongs to the latter category. Here, the name everyone knows is bighero, a fresh pasta made from the humblest of ingredients—just water and flour, no eggs—but rich in tradition and technique. The dough is kneaded, torn into small pieces, and rolled one by one, giving every bighero its slightly irregular shape, impossible to replicate by machine.

A festival born from home kitchens

The Bighero Festival was created to ensure this tradition is never lost. It is not a monumental event or a tourist trap; it is a community celebration where the town, gathered around the Pro Loco of Monterosi APS and local associations, serves the food they have always eaten on special occasions. Local cooks prepare the bigheri in the days leading up to the event, volunteers set up the square, and in the evening, Piazzale Sant'Antonio Abate transforms into one long, open-air dining table.

How to enjoy bighero

The sauces remain faithful to the traditions of the upper Tuscia region and the border with Sabina. Guests can choose between amatriciana or mushroom and sausage, two bold sauces that pair perfectly with the hearty texture of the pasta. The full menu served at the festival includes:

• a rustic appetizer with local cured meats and products;
• bigheri with amatriciana or mushroom and sausage sauce;
• dessert;
• coffee and limoncello;
• bread, water, and service included.

The menu is offered at a fixed price and is available by reservation only. This system allows the volunteers to manage the production of the fresh pasta, which cannot be improvised. Those who arrive without a reservation can still enjoy the stalls and the festive atmosphere in the square.

Music, stalls, and a children's workshop

The evening doesn't end at the table. Stalls selling local produce and handicrafts line the square, while a live band provides the soundtrack for the dinner, turning it into a vibrant street party that lasts late into the night. The highlight, however, is the bighero workshop for children: from 6:00 PM, the little ones get their hands floury and learn to roll the pasta alongside the local ladies. It is a detail that speaks volumes about the spirit of the event, which is focused on passing down a technique rather than just selling a product.

Monterosi, gateway to Tuscia

The Municipality of Monterosi enjoys a prime location on the Via Cassia, halfway between Rome and Viterbo, on the edge of the Bracciano-Martignano Regional Natural Park and overlooking the small Lake Monterosi, a volcanic basin surrounded by woods. It is no coincidence that the town calls itself the "gateway to Tuscia": those traveling toward the Viterbo area find here their first taste of rustic country cuisine, defined by hand-rolled pastas, robust sauces, and garden-fresh produce.

A summer of celebrations

The Bighero Festival is one of the highlights of the town's summer calendar, which from June to August features a variety of food festivals, musical evenings, the patron saint's joust, the White Night, and events by the lake. Visitors to Monterosi on the night of the festival will find not just an isolated event, but a town in full swing, with lively bars and squares, and the opportunity to explore nearby Sutri, Nepi, Campagnano di Roma, and Lake Bracciano within a few kilometers.

Visitor tips

The event follows the classic village festival format: arrive early, stroll through the stalls, and take your seat when service begins. It is highly recommended to book well in advance, as seating is limited and the event attracts many visitors from neighboring towns and the area north of Rome.