Choco Italia in Tour - Piazza Cola di Rienzo Edition

Artisanal chocolate arrives in Prati

Choco Italia in Tour is a traveling event dedicated to artisanal chocolate that has been touring cities and tourist destinations across Central and Southern Italy since 2021. The Roman stop at Piazza Cola di Rienzo, in the heart of the Prati district, is one of the most popular on the calendar: the square is located just a short walk from St. Peter's Basilica and one of the capital's most famous shopping streets, hosting the producers' wooden stalls for an entire weekend.

A market that tells the story of the supply chain

The project goes beyond simple sales: the organizers' stated goal is to promote consumer awareness regarding the world of chocolate, from cocoa bean harvesting to production and distribution, creating opportunities for direct dialogue with artisans, producers, and industry experts. Visitors strolling through the stalls can ask questions, taste products, and learn what distinguishes an artisanal bar from an industrial product.

Eight regions in the square

The Roman stop features exhibitors from eight Italian regions. Among the products most frequently found along the route:

• artisanal chocolate from Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna;
• chocolate and pralines from master chocolatiers in Perugia;
• traditional sweets and artisanal chocolate from Campania;
• Giffoni PGI hazelnuts, caramelized dried fruits, and brittle;
• Sicilian nougat, candies, and marshmallows;
• hazelnut spreads, paired with traditional local bread.

The European Cultural Chocolate Factory

The educational heart of the event is the traveling European Cultural Chocolate Factory, active daily and run by master chocolatiers from Perugia. The workshop "The history, origins of cocoa, and production phases, from cocoa bean to chocolate bar" is designed for children and teenagers but remains open to all visitors. Alongside it, two highly requested experiences take place: "Become a chocolatier for a day," which guides the public through the cocoa processing stages up to the creation of a personalized bar, and "Grandparents and grandchildren: a world of chocolate," dedicated to families.

Organizers

The Piazza Cola di Rienzo stop is organized by the Le Capitali del mondo di Roma association in collaboration with the Associazione Italia Eventi, with the patronage of Rome's Municipality I, the National Union of Event Organizers, and The Chocolate Way association. Giuseppe Lupo, president of Italia Eventi, described the event as "a gourmet journey to be experienced in the time of a stroll": a formula that explains the spirit of the event well, closer to urban flânerie than a large exhibition fair.

When and how to visit

The fair traditionally takes place in March, over three days from Friday to Sunday, with continuous hours from 10 AM to midnight and free admission. In the Lazio region, the Prati stop is often accompanied by a second Roman appointment in the EUR district, in the days immediately following. The best time to visit is late afternoon, when the lights of the Prati district and the aroma of cocoa make the walk particularly pleasant; during the peak hours on Saturday, the square can be very crowded.

The Roman context

Chocolate has a well-established urban tradition in Rome, consisting of historic chocolate shops and street events that dot the winter and early spring in the Lazio region. Choco Italia fits into this trend with an informative and family-friendly approach, favoring small-scale artisanal production over major brands.