Castrum Fontanae

A winter festival in the heart of the Ciociaria region

Castrum Fontanae is the December highlight in the municipality of Fontana Liri, located in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio. The event takes place in the upper part of the town, Fontana Liri Superiore, centered around the scenic Piazza Santo Stefano, which overlooks the Liri Valley. The festival's name is derived from how the village was referred to in medieval documents: Castrum Fontanae, the fortified settlement that grew around the Fontana Abballe spring and flourished in the shadow of the Castello Succorte, built around the year 1000 on a rocky spur.

Polenta cooked in copper cauldrons

The star of the day is polenta, prepared according to the rural traditions of the Liri Valley in callari—large copper cauldrons hung over open flames. The cooking process takes place outdoors, right before the visitors' eyes, and is a spectacle in itself: stirring the polenta in the cauldrons requires strong arms and a rhythm passed down through generations. The polenta is served with pork ribs and accompanied by other winter specialties of Ciociarian cuisine:

• Pork sausages grilled over embers
• Sautéed broccoli rabe, an essential local side dish
• Crespelle (fried dough), sweet or savory
• Wine from local producers

Nativity scene exhibition in the historic center

Castrum Fontanae offers more than just food. Throughout the historic center of Fontana Liri Superiore, a nativity scene exhibition transforms the village's alleys, arches, cellars, and small squares into an open-air display. The nativity scenes, crafted by local artisans and families, are nestled into the most picturesque corners of the medieval town, among houses built against the rock, stone staircases, and ancient gates leading to the castle. Walking through the village at night, with the nativity scenes illuminated, is the best way to understand why Fontana Liri Superiore is considered one of the most characteristic villages in the province of Frosinone.

Music, tradition, and Christmas atmosphere

The soundtrack for the day is provided by zampogne (bagpipes), the iconic instrument of Advent in the central-southern Apennines, and by stornellatori (folk singers), who in the 2025 edition entertained the square with a repertoire of improvised folk songs, much appreciated by the audience. The organizers have made the festival intentionally eco-friendly, working over the years to reduce waste and promote locally sourced products.

A village worth visiting

Fontana Liri is also known as the birthplace of Marcello Mastroianni: a study center and several memorial sites in the town are dedicated to the great actor. Visitors coming for Castrum Fontanae can combine their culinary experience with a stroll through the medieval village, the remains of the Castello Succorte, and the viewpoints over the Liri Valley, in a part of the Ciociaria region where olive groves stretch down to the river. The municipal territory is divided between Fontana Liri Superiore, the ancient hilltop core, and Fontana Liri Inferiore, which developed on the plains around the former military plant.

Organizers

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Fontana Liri APS with the involvement of local associations and volunteers. Admission to the festival area and the nativity scene exhibition is free; food tastings are paid for on-site with tickets available at the event. For updated information, it is best to contact the Pro Loco directly, as they publish the final program in the weeks leading up to the event.