Cenalonga

A dinner that takes over the entire street

Cenalonga was born in 2023 from a simple and successful idea by the Pro Loco of Roccasecca: close Via Roma to traffic and turn it into one single, endless open-air dining table. The result exceeded expectations from the very first edition, quickly becoming the most anticipated summer event in the town's calendar, located in the heart of Ciociaria, in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio.

The principle is shared conviviality: this is not a festival with scattered stalls, but a collective dinner where hundreds of people sit side by side along the same street, between Via Roma and Piazza Longa. Visitors find themselves sitting next to locals, which is precisely the atmosphere the organizers aimed to create.

What to eat

Along the route, stations managed by local businesses are set up, each specializing in a specific course. The menu draws naturally from local cuisine and traditional Ciociarian food culture:

• Traditional pasta dishes, prepared and served on the spot
• Grilled meats and local sausages
• Pizza a portafoglio (folded pizza) and fried snacks
• Fish-based dishes
• Sandwiches, seasonal fruit, desserts, and gelato
• Local wine and craft beer

Portions are purchased directly at the stations using a ticket system for each dish: you build your own dinner as you walk along the table, without a fixed menu.

Music and entertainment

The evening goes beyond the plate. Each edition features live music and entertainment designed for all ages, accompanying the dinner and continuing afterwards. In 2025, the stage was hosted by a cover band dedicated to the repertoire of Ligabue, a choice that kept the square packed until late at night.

A community event

Cenalonga is promoted by the Pro Loco of Roccasecca, chaired by Fabrizio Torriero, with the patronage of the Municipality of Roccasecca and the collaboration of local businesses, the Civil Protection, and local associations. Mayor Giuseppe Sacco has repeatedly highlighted the community-building value of the initiative, which brings life back to the town center at a time of year when many inland villages tend to empty out.

For the Pro Loco, the stated goal is twofold: to showcase the local gastronomic tradition and to promote Roccasecca as a summer evening destination, encouraging visitors to discover the town beyond just the dinner.

Roccasecca, beyond the table

Those who arrive a few hours early will find a village worth exploring. Roccasecca is known for its connection to Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was traditionally born in the castle of the Counts of Aquino that overlooks the town from above: the ruins of the Castle of Roccasecca, reachable on foot from the center, offer a wide view over the Liri Valley and the Cassino area. In town, the historic churches and, slightly further away, the Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit are also worth noting.

The combination of street dining, music, and exploring the village makes Cenalonga a simple yet effective opportunity to get to know this corner of Lazio, halfway between Frosinone and Cassino.