Fallone Festival

The Fallone Festival in Affile

In the heart of autumn, when the forests of the Affilani Mountains turn golden, the small town of Affile, in the province of Rome and the Lazio region, dedicates an entire weekend to its most beloved product: the fallone. Now in its thirty-fifth year, the festival is one of the longest-running and most cherished events in the upper Aniene Valley, drawing visitors from neighboring towns and the capital, all lured by the aroma of freshly baked flatbreads and the festive atmosphere of the historic center.

What is a fallone?

The fallone is a type of rustic pizza made from cornmeal (the characteristic yellow flour), stuffed and baked. The traditional filling consists of wild field greens, primarily broccoli rabe, and local sausage, following the local dialect phrase that has always accompanied the event: fallone with "erbi e zasicchie". The result is a simple yet hearty dish with a bold flavor that tells the story of peasant cooking in this corner of the Lazio mountains.

A dish of peasant memory

The recipe for the fallone is rooted in the ancient culture of bread-making. Village women would prepare it on baking days, filling it with herbs gathered in the fields and along the ditches, and baking it directly on the fireplace stone, covered by a pan topped with hot coals. It would keep for days and was enjoyed by families gathered around the fire. The Fallone Festival was born precisely to preserve this memory and pass it on to new generations, keeping alive a gastronomic tradition that was at risk of disappearing.

The festival program

Organized by the Pro Loco of Affile, the festival takes place over the weekend with a well-established program:

• opening of food stalls in Piazza Castellana and the historic center;
• distribution of the fallone with greens and sausage, the heart of the event;
• the traditional Sunday lunch in the square, featuring polenta, pork ribs, and sausage;
• live music performances, dance orchestras, and folk groups that enliven the evenings.

The village streets fill with stalls, music, and people: the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover the ancient village, its churches, and its picturesque corners.

Affile and Cesanese wine

Tastings are accompanied by Cesanese di Affile, a historic local red wine that has given its name to one of the most prestigious appellations in Lazio. The pairing of a warm fallone with a glass of Cesanese is one of the most authentic moments of the festival and perfectly represents the food and wine identity of these villages.

An autumn appointment in Lazio

The Fallone Festival is traditionally held in October and is now a fixed date on the Lazio festival calendar. For those seeking genuine mountain cuisine, the conviviality of a small village, and a dive into the popular traditions of the Aniene Valley, Affile offers a weekend of taste and authenticity.