Easter with Giotto

The city of Giotto's Angel

Easter with Giotto is the annual event that brings the historic center of Boville Ernica to life during the Easter holidays. Located in the province of Frosinone, in the heart of the Ciociaria region and the Lazio area, this small town created the festival to showcase its artistic heritage. It attracts thousands of visitors drawn by the treasure that makes Boville Ernica famous throughout Italy: the mosaic of the Angel of Giotto, housed in the Church of San Pietro Ispano.

Giotto's mosaic and the Early Christian Sarcophagus

The heart of the event consists of guided tours of the Church of San Pietro Ispano, which preserves a circular medallion about 70 centimeters in diameter depicting the bust of an angel. It is a fragment of the famous Navicella created by Giotto around 1298 for the atrium of the ancient St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican; it is the only mosaic by the master that has reached us almost intact. The work was saved from the demolition of the old basilica thanks to Monsignor Giovanni Battista Simoncelli, a native of Boville Ernica.

In the same church, you can also admire the Early Christian Sarcophagus from the 4th century, discovered in 1941 in the Sasso area during agricultural work. Considered a nearly unique piece in the world for its state of preservation, it features scenes taken from the Holy Scriptures, from the three youths in the furnace of Nebuchadnezzar to the Nativity.

The event program

For the entire duration of the event, the village transforms into an open-air journey through art, tradition, and gastronomy. The program typically includes:

• Guided tours of Giotto's mosaic, the Early Christian Sarcophagus, and the monuments of the historic center;
• Craft markets and local specialty products;
• Flag-wavers, street artists, and roving performances;
• Entertainment for children and families;
• Traditional menus in the town's restaurants and taverns, featuring the flavors of Ciociarian cuisine.

The Giotto Prize

The festival also hosts the Giotto Prize ceremony, an award dedicated to individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the promotion of art, culture, and the local territory. The initiative helps strengthen the bond between the event, the village, and its artistic legacy.

One of Italy's most beautiful villages

Boville Ernica is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy: its walls, cobbled alleys, and historic palaces provide the ideal backdrop for the event. Visiting 'Easter with Giotto' means discovering an authentic corner of Ciociaria, where the great Giottesque masterpiece coexists with popular traditions, craftsmanship, and the hospitality of a community that proudly guards its identity.