Coda de Soreca Gnocchi Festival

A festival dedicated to a unique pasta

The Coda de Soreca Gnocchi Festival is the most iconic culinary event in Valmontone, a town in the province of Rome nestled along the Via Casilina in the Lazio region. The undisputed star is a pasta shape found almost nowhere else: the "coda de soreca"—or "mouse tail" in the local dialect—named for its long, thin, and slightly tapered form. This humble, traditional Valmontone pasta is handmade with only water and flour, without eggs, making it lighter than other fresh pastas and perfectly designed to hold onto rich sauces.

Traditional flavors

During the festival, the gnocchi are hand-rolled by local cooks and served with classic recipes: ragù made from mutton, game (especially wild boar), or pork, topped with a generous sprinkle of Pecorino Romano. The experience is made even more authentic by the use of scifelle, the traditional rectangular wooden containers once used for meals in the fields. Alongside the signature dish, food stalls offer grilled meats, vegetables, and other local specialties for a popular, affordable dinner.

Three nights of celebration in the Sant'Anna district

The event takes place in the Città dello Sport area, along the Via Casilina at the intersection with Via Hiroshima, in the Sant'Anna district. From Friday to Sunday, starting at dinner time, the area transforms into a vibrant social hub: food stalls, live music with singers performing late into the night, rides for children, and various market stalls. It is the classic formula of a local Lazio festival, where culinary tradition meets neighborhood spirit, drawing families and visitors from across the Castelli Romani area and the Sacco Valley.

A community-born celebration

The festival is organized by the "Vivere Sant'Anna" Committee, a neighborhood association that has been enlivening this part of Valmontone for years, with the support of the Municipality of Valmontone. Edition after edition—the tenth was held in June 2026—the event has grown into one of the most anticipated moments of the Valmontone summer, attracting hundreds of people each night and keeping alive a recipe that risked being confined to family kitchens.

Valmontone: history and entertainment

The festival is also a great opportunity to discover Valmontone, a town about 45 kilometers from Rome known for the monumental Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, which dominates the historic center with its 17th-century frescoes, and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Just a few minutes from the town center, you will also find the MagicLand amusement park and a large outlet mall, making Valmontone one of the most popular destinations in Lazio. Combining a visit to the festival allows you to experience the most authentic and popular side of the city.