Ceciliani Festival

A festival dedicated to handmade pasta

Every September, the village of Canepina, perched at the foot of the Cimini Mountains in the province of Viterbo, celebrates one of the most authentic symbols of its rural culinary heritage with the Ceciliani Festival. This event, organized by the local Pro Loco and the Santa Corona Festivities Committee, draws visitors from across the Viterbo Tuscia and the nearby Lake Vico, all eager to taste a humble dish rich in history and artisanal skill.

What are ceciliani?

Ceciliani are a traditional short pasta from Canepina, prepared with simple, wholesome ingredients: water and flour, sometimes enriched with an egg. The dough is hand-kneaded and rolled one by one around a thin metal rod (ferretto), which gives each piece its characteristic concave shape, perfect for holding sauce. The result is a rustic, flavorful pasta served at the festival with amatriciana, meat sauce, or a white sauce with porcini mushrooms and sausage, following recipes passed down through generations.

A village in the Cimini Mountains

Canepina is a small Lazio town immersed in the chestnut forests of the Cimini Mountains, just a few kilometers from Viterbo and the Lake Vico nature reserve. Its medieval historic center, with its stone alleys, small squares, and ancient cellars, provides a natural backdrop for the event. During the festival, the village streets come alive with aromas, long dining tables, and music, offering visitors the chance to discover an authentic and still-hidden corner of the Viterbo province.

Gastronomy, music, and community

The Ceciliani Festival is much more than just a culinary event; it is a community celebration where volunteers, cooks, and local families work together to welcome visitors. Alongside the stalls serving various versions of ceciliani, the program typically includes a full menu featuring main courses, side dishes, and traditional desserts, with options for children and live music to accompany the evenings. Entry is free, and the atmosphere remains as convivial and genuine as a traditional village fair.

A bond with the traditions of Canepina

The event is part of the September calendar of festivities linked to the celebration of Santa Corona and represents an opportunity to showcase a signature local product. Through the ceciliani, the Canepina community shares its history of agriculture, chestnut groves, and peasant cooking, helping to keep alive a recipe that might otherwise be lost. For those visiting the Tuscia region, the festival is the ideal occasion to combine a gastronomic discovery with a stroll through the village and the landscapes of the Cimini Mountains.