Cittareale Gnocchi Festival

A farming celebration at the foot of the Laga Mountains

The Gnocchi Festival takes place in Ricci, a hamlet within the municipality of Cittareale in the northern province of Rieti, at the far end of the Lazio region. Nestled at an altitude of about 1,000 meters in the upper Velino Valley, bordering Abruzzo and Umbria, this Laga Mountains village maintains a strong rural and mountain identity. The festival is rooted in the ancient bond between the community and its land, showcasing produce that has been cultivated here for centuries.

Gnocchi with Cittareale potatoes

The absolute star of the show is the traditional dish: handmade gnocchi, kneaded with the famous Cittareale potatoes, which are grown in these high-altitude soils and prized for their quality. Served in the local style with mutton ragù, they represent a simple, generous mountain cuisine born from the pastoral and agricultural traditions of these Apennine slopes. The Pro Loco food stall is the heart of the day, where visitors can taste the village's signature dish prepared by local volunteers.

The vintage motor-mower rally

Alongside the gastronomy, the festival offers a nostalgic look at farming history: the vintage motor-mower rally. It is a dive into the past, featuring old engines, agricultural tools, and memories of the rural civilization that shaped life in these mountains. It is a moment that bridges generations and restores a sense of community tied to field work and haymaking.

An event dedicated to sharing

The event is organized by the Cittareale Pro Loco, turning it into a celebration of authentic flavors, history, and conviviality. The most recent edition was dedicated to the memory of Michele Rinaldi, highlighting the emotional and communal value of this festival for the local residents. On a late summer day, amidst the aromas of the kitchen and the greenery of the Apennines, the Gnocchi Festival is the perfect opportunity to rediscover Cittareale, the birthplace of the Roman Emperor Vespasian and home to the scenic Aragonese Fortress.

Why attend

• Taste handmade gnocchi with Cittareale potatoes and mutton ragù
• Witness the charming vintage motor-mower rally
• Discover an authentic mountain village in the Laga Mountains of Lazio
• Experience the hospitality and traditions of the Cittareale community