Casatiello Festival

A festival that kicks off the season in Ponza

The Casatiello Festival is the first major public event of the year on the island of Ponza, located in the municipality of the same name in the province of Latina, within the Pontine Islands archipelago in Lazio. It takes place on Easter Sunday—and in some years extends into the atmosphere of Easter Monday—in the heart of the port at Piazza Carlo Pisacane, a picturesque seaside square framed by an amphitheater of colorful houses.

This celebration marks the change of seasons: the island awakens after winter, the first venues reopen, ferries arrive full of passengers, and the Ponza community welcomes visitors with its most iconic Easter treat.

'U casatiello ponzese: a sweet, not a savory pie

The Ponza casatiello is a unique gastronomic exception. While in Naples—and even on the nearby island of Ventotene—the casatiello is a famous savory pie filled with salami, hard-boiled eggs, and cheese, in Ponza 'u casatiello is a sweet leavened cake. It is crafted from humble ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, lard, and natural flavorings like lemon zest or orange juice.

Local historians attribute this rustic variation to the harsh conditions faced by the settlers who populated Ponza in the 18th century. It is a recipe reduced to the essentials, tied to the spring production of eggs, which has since become a symbol of Ponza's identity. It is still baked at home today and enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert.

The tasting: casatiello, pecorino, fava beans, and wine

The heart of the festival is the tasting offered by the Pro Loco along the square. The casatiello is paired with the classic flavors of the Pontine spring:

• Sweet Ponza Casatiello, sliced and distributed to attendees
• Pecorino cheese and fresh seasonal fava beans, the island's most beloved pairing
• Local wine, produced on the terraced hillsides overlooking the sea

Everything is free of charge: the festival was born as a gift from the community to its guests and residents, with no tickets or reservations required.

Live music and dancing in the square

From late afternoon until evening, the square comes alive with live music, featuring traditional Neapolitan and Pontine songs, along with dancing that brings locals and tourists together. Past editions have featured local bands, entertainment, and short dance performances in an informal atmosphere that defines the event.

Organizers

The festival is promoted by the Pro Loco Tourist Association of Ponza in collaboration with the municipal administration, which has championed the event for years as a showcase for the tourist season. The preparation of the casatielli involves volunteers and island families, reflecting a spirit of shared celebration rather than a commercial event.

Why it's worth the trip

Visiting Ponza at Easter means seeing the island in a light that disappears in summer: fewer crowds, clear light, and trails already in bloom toward Le Forna, Chiaia di Luna, and Frontone. The Casatiello Festival adds an authentic moment of community life to this scenery, where you can taste a unique product and hear the Ponza dialect, a direct descendant of the language spoken by the settlers from Ischia and Torre del Greco. For those arriving from Rome or the Lazio coast, it makes for a perfect day trip, with departures from the ports of Formia, Terracina, or Anzio.