Bruschetta Festival

A day dedicated to new olive oil

The Bruschetta Festival in Monteleone Sabino is one of the longest-running food and wine events in the province of Rieti. Now in its twenty-eighth year, it is held every November, when the olive pressing season concludes in the Sabina oil mills and the freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil finally arrives on tables. The formula has remained the same for nearly thirty years and is disarmingly simple: toasted homemade bread, a clove of garlic, a drizzle of new oil, and a pinch of salt. Nothing else.

The village of Trebula Mutuesca

Monteleone Sabino is located in the interior of Lazio, just over an hour from Rome, on a hill overlooking the valley. The village preserves the memory of ancient Trebula Mutuesca, the Roman municipality that stood at the foot of the current settlement, of which the archaeological area and numerous materials reused in later constructions remain. It is a land of ancient olive trees: Sabina olive growing is a true collective identity here, and the festival was born as a harvest celebration, a way to share the fruits of a year's work with visitors.

The twenty-meter loaf

The hallmark of the event is the twenty-meter-long loaf of bread, prepared for the occasion by the village bakeries. In the afternoon, the giant loaf is carried on shoulders through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by the Cavalieri di Monteleone Sabino, to the main square where it is sliced and offered to all attendees. It is the most photographed moment of the day and, at the same time, the one that best captures the spirit of the festival: something built together and shared together.

What to find in the square

• Free tastings of warm bread and bruschetta with local oil, from morning until afternoon
• Stalls featuring cheeses, cured meats, and typical products of the Sabina region
• Visit to the village oil mill, where you can observe the entire oil production cycle live
• Direct sales of new oil from local producers
• Convivial lunch with dishes prepared by the Pro Loco
• Markets, exhibitions, and musical performances along the route
• Award ceremony for the best oil at the end of the day

The oil competition

In the late afternoon, a committee evaluates samples presented by producers in the area and awards the prize for the best oil of the year. It is not just a superficial competition: for local farms, often family-run with very limited production, it represents a concrete opportunity for visibility and a moment for technical comparison regarding yield quality.

Atmosphere and audience

The main square is entirely covered to ensure the festival can take place even in case of rain, which is far from unlikely in November. The turnout is significant, with many visitors coming from Rome and the Rieti province, yet the event retains an authentically local character: it is the Pro Loco volunteers who manage the kitchen, stalls, and hospitality, and the rhythm of the day is the slow pace of a village feast, not that of a staged event. For those wanting to discover the Sabina region out of season, it is arguably the best opportunity of the year.