Cioncone Bean Festival

A festival dedicated to a unique bean

The Cioncone Bean Festival is the most iconic gastronomic event in Vivaro Romano, a village of a few hundred inhabitants nestled at an altitude of 757 meters in the Metropolitan City of Rome, on the eastern edge of the Lazio region toward Abruzzo. The absolute star is the Cioncone bean, a local ecotype that owes its curious name to a local emigrant nicknamed "Cioncone," who brought this legume back to the village, where it perfectly adapted to the sandy, damp soil of the area.

Why the Cioncone bean is special

The Cioncone bean is famous for its very thin skin and tender flesh, qualities that make it ideal for the long cooking times of traditional country cuisine. It also contains the 'fasolina' type A, a protein found in very rare bean species, which gives it a nutritional value comparable to meat when paired with carbohydrates. Traditional preparations include stewing it with pork rinds or simply boiling it and seasoning it with oil and vinegar: dishes that are only poor in appearance, telling the agricultural history of this part of the Turano Valley.

The celebration in Piazza della Peschiera

The festival traditionally takes place on November 1st, All Saints' Day, starting at lunchtime (from 1:00 PM) in Piazza della Peschiera, in the heart of the historic center. The Pro Loco stands serve pasta e fagioli—often with typical 'cannolicchi' or 'sagnozzi', the local fresh pasta—followed by stewed beans with sausages, all accompanied by red wine. In the afternoon, there are plenty of roasted chestnuts, perfect for the early November mountain climate. Participation is free, with reservations recommended for organizational reasons; in case of bad weather, the festival moves to the former nursery school hall.

Vivar...oween, the eve with carved pumpkins

For a few years now, the festival has been preceded on the evening of October 31st by "Vivar...oween," an evening dedicated to carving pumpkins according to ancient local customs: an indigenous peasant tradition that the village has rediscovered, which dialogues with the Halloween imagery while involving children and families.

A village to discover an hour from Rome

Vivaro Romano is about 50 kilometers from Rome and is easily reached via the A24 motorway. The festival is also an opportunity to discover the village, with the Borghese castle, medieval alleys, and a breathtaking view of the Turano Valley, which offers extraordinary autumn colors on clear November days. The Municipality of Vivaro Romano and the Pro Loco make this day a moment of collective pride: the festival, which reached its fortieth edition in 2025, is one of the longest-running in the Roman mountains.

Essential information

• When: November 1st, from lunchtime (1:00 PM)
• Where: Piazza della Peschiera, Vivaro Romano (RM) — indoors at the former nursery school in case of rain
• Admission: Free, reservations recommended at +39 338 9687594
• What to eat: pasta e fagioli, stewed beans with sausages, roasted chestnuts, red wine