Castagnola Festival (Children's Carnival)

A delicious festival in the heart of Tuscia

For two Sundays during the Carnival season, the Castagnola Festival turns Piazza Italia, in the historic center of Tuscania, into a meeting point for families and food enthusiasts. The initiative, promoted by the Vero Benessere Association together with the Pro Loco of Tuscania, takes place as part of the Children's Carnival and brings traditional Carnival flavors to the square: starting at 3:00 PM, volunteers distribute freshly made castagnole to everyone, surrounded by colors, confetti, masks, and laughter.

The castagnola, the iconic Carnival sweet

Castagnole are small, sweet fritters typical of the Carnival period, named for their round shape which resembles a chestnut. The dough is simple—flour, eggs, sugar, and a hint of citrus zest—but the result is irresistible: golden, fluffy bites, rolled in sugar and served warm. While these treats go by different names across Italy, in the Viterbo Tuscia region, castagnole remain one of the most beloved seasonal delicacies, prepared at home and in public squares according to recipes passed down through generations.

The Children's Carnival of Tuscania

The festival is the culinary soul of the Children's Carnival, an event that brings Tuscania to life during the Carnival season with masks, games, and activities designed especially for the little ones. The two Sundays of castagnole distribution add a touch of tradition to the festivities: while children play in costume amidst the confetti, parents rediscover the flavors of their childhood in the authentic, convivial atmosphere that only the villages of the Viterbo province can offer.

Piazza Italia and the village of Tuscania

The festival takes place in Piazza Italia, the living room of Tuscania's historic center, an art city in the Municipality of Tuscania, in the province of Viterbo, Northern Lazio. Tuscania is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Tuscia region: here you will find the stunning Romanesque basilicas of San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore, the Etruscan necropolises scattered throughout the surrounding countryside, and the Torre di Lavello park, which offers a memorable view over the Marta River valley. Attending the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Lazio during the low season.

Why attend

• Freshly made castagnole distributed to adults and children in Piazza Italia
• Carnival atmosphere with masks, confetti, and children's games
• A free, family-friendly event in the heart of an art-filled village
• The ideal occasion to visit Tuscania, its Romanesque basilicas, and Etruscan necropolises

Simple and genuine like the village festivals of the past, the Castagnola Festival is the sweetest way to experience Carnival in the Tuscia region.