Castrum Pedemontis

A re-enactment born from the Charta Libertatis

Castrum Pedemontis is the historical festival of Piedimonte San Germano, a town in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio, nestled at the foot of the massif that houses the Abbey of Montecassino. The event was created to bring to life a specific historical document: the 1183 Charta Libertatis, through which the Abbey of Montecassino granted the inhabitants of the castrum a series of rights and forms of autonomy. It is not just a generic costume party, but a reconstruction rooted in local history that returns the village to the moment the community obtained its own charter.

The Conti d'Aquino Castle

The stage is the medieval Conti d'Aquino Castle, which stands at the highest point of the historic center in Piedimonte Alta, overlooking the Liri Valley. Its massive walls enclose a spacious courtyard that hosts cultural events throughout the year, and which, during the festival, transforms into a true medieval village: lit braziers, artisan stalls, and commoners and nobles in period attire. The return of the event to the oldest part of the village was a deliberate choice to bring the celebration back to where the idea was born.

What to see

The program alternates between academic insights and entertainment. The first evening is traditionally dedicated to a conference framing the historical context and the system of castles in the Lands of Saint Benedict; the second is entirely dedicated to the performance.

• Historical procession with costumed figures, knights, and ladies
• Flag-wavers and musicians opening the evening in the castle courtyard
• Falconry show with free-flying birds of prey
• Re-enactment of the granting of the Charta Libertatis
• Tournament of arms and duels with swords
• Jesters, acrobats, and fire-eaters along the route
• Gastronomic tour with typical local dishes and products

The gastronomic tour

One of the most appreciated elements is the tasting trail that winds through the streets of the upper village. The stalls, assigned annually through a public notice by the Municipality, offer specialties from the Ciociaria and Cassino areas: homemade pasta, grilled meats, local cheeses and cured meats, and traditional desserts, all accompanied by wines from the province of Frosinone. It is the simplest way to connect the re-enactment to the local material culture.

A community project

Castrum Pedemontis is organized by the Pro Loco in partnership with the Municipality of Piedimonte San Germano, with the collaboration of the DMO Terra dei Cammini and numerous volunteers. The event is part of a wider network that promotes the castles and Benedictine paths of southern Lazio, in anticipation of the celebrations for the 1500th anniversary of the Abbey of Montecassino. The administration presents it as a cultural tool even before it is a tourist one: a concrete way to bring young and old closer to the town's history.

When to go

The event takes place in mid-July, over two consecutive evenings. Shows begin at sunset and continue late into the night, when the castle, illuminated by torches, offers the most evocative image of the festival. It is an event suitable for families, with entertainment dedicated to children.