Casarecce alla Francescana Festival (Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua and the Madonna)

A festival born from a saint's feast

The Casarecce alla Francescana Festival takes place in Limiti di Greccio, a village in the municipality of Greccio, in the province of Rieti, in the heart of the Lazio region's Sabina area. This is no manufactured event; it is the culinary heart of the celebrations in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua and the Madonna, which the local community observes every June. The religious calendar and the social festivities go hand in hand, giving the event its unique character: you come for the food, but you stay for the procession, the live concerts in the square, and the authentic village atmosphere that lasts until late at night.

The dish that gives the festival its name

Casarecce are a short, twisted pasta shape typical of central-southern Italy, prepared here by hand by the committee's volunteers. The «alla francescana» version pays tribute to the area's profound bond with Saint Francis of Assisi: Greccio is, in fact, the place where the saint set up the world's first nativity scene in 1223, and the entire town is steeped in this Franciscan legacy. Alongside this signature dish, the food stalls offer other classics of Rieti cuisine, from grilled meats to seasonal side dishes, accompanied by local wines and homemade desserts.

Evenings in the square

The event spans several consecutive evenings throughout June, with food stalls opening in the late afternoon and remaining active until late. The entertainment program features concerts, live music, and dance nights, with local bands and orchestras from the Rieti and Sabina areas performing on the stage set up in Piazza San Giovanni Paolo II. There are also dedicated spaces for children and entertainment activities that make the festival perfect for the whole family.

• Food stalls featuring casarecce alla francescana as the main dish
• Live music and dance nights in the square
• Religious celebrations and a procession in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua and the Madonna
• Free entry to the festival area

Who organizes it

The event is organized by the Pia Unione Sant'Antonio di Padova, linked to the Santa Maria di Loreto Parish in Limiti di Greccio, which has managed both the devotional and festive aspects for decades. It is an entirely volunteer-run organization: the local residents manage the kitchen, table service, setup, and hospitality, which is why prices remain those of a traditional village festival.

Greccio, the village of the nativity scene

Visitors to the festival have one of the most visited sites in the province of Rieti at their fingertips. The Sanctuary of Greccio, clinging to the rocky cliff above the valley, houses the grotto of the first nativity scene and is a pilgrimage destination year-round. The historic center, with its stone houses and views over the Rieti Holy Valley, is quick to explore and is the perfect complement to an evening in the square. The area is part of the Franciscan Sanctuaries of the Holy Valley circuit, which also includes Fonte Colombo, La Foresta, and Poggio Bustone.

Why it's worth a visit

The Casarecce alla Francescana Festival is a community celebration, not a staged tourist event: you eat well, spend little, enjoy folk music, and meet the locals. For those visiting Lazio away from the Rome tourist circuits, it is one of the most direct ways to understand how life still functions in a Sabina village, where devotion to a saint and sharing a meal are one and the same.