Braciola Festival

The Braciola Festival in Camerata Nuova

In the heart of the Simbruini Mountains Regional Nature Park, on one of the coldest Sundays in January, the small village of Camerata Nuova (province of Rome, Lazio) gathers for its most cherished celebration: the Braciola Festival. For over sixty years, the local Pro Loco has set up a large grill in the historic square, where lamb and mutton chops, prepared according to an ancient peasant recipe, are cooked amidst swirling smoke.

Winter Flavors

The undisputed star is the braciola sandwich, grilled to perfection, but the day is also an opportunity to rediscover simple, traditional local dishes. The food stalls feature steaming pasta and chickpeas, perfect for warming up, accompanied by local wine and beverages served by volunteers.

• Grilled lamb and mutton chops
• Braciola sandwich
• Traditional peasant-style pasta and chickpeas
• Local wine and drinks

A Festival of Remembrance

The festival is more than just a culinary event: it is how the community keeps alive the memory of an event that forever shaped its identity. On January 9, 1859, a terrible fire destroyed Camerata Vecchia, the ancient settlement perched at an altitude of about 1,220 meters in the Simbruini Mountains. From that tragedy, the need arose to rebuild the village further down the valley: with a contribution of three hundred scudi donated by Pope Pius IX, the current Camerata Nuova took shape. Every year, the festival, which falls around the anniversary, thus unites the warmth of the grill with the smoke that rises symbolically toward the ruins of the "Dead City."

Between Village and Nature

The day is enlivened by live music, traditional games, and entertainment for children in an atmosphere of authentic village festivity. For those wishing to explore the area, trails lead from the village to the remains of Camerata Vecchia, about five kilometers away, accessible on foot or by mountain bike through a stunning beech forest, crossing evocative valleys like the Valle di Fioio and the slopes of Monte Autore.