Feast of Saints Vincenzo and Anastasio (with Pizzantiella Festival and Oxen Procession)

The most heartfelt festival in Monterosi

In Monterosi, a village of just over four thousand inhabitants overlooking its namesake volcanic lake in the province of Viterbo, January holds a special meaning. In the depths of winter, the community gathers around its patron saints, Vincenzo and Anastasio, for a week of festivities that weave together religious devotion, folk traditions, and moments of genuine local conviviality. This is not an event staged for tourism: it is a festival the people of Monterosi feel as their own, passed down from generation to generation and experienced with authentic participation.

Faith and processions

The religious heart of the event centers around January 22nd, the day dedicated to the patron saints: a solemn holy mass is followed by a procession with the saints' relics, which winds through the streets of the historic center accompanied by the local brass band. In Monterosi, the Santa Cecilia band is an integral part of the festival's identity, providing the soundtrack for both the most solemn and the most joyful moments.

The most distinctive event, however, remains the Oxen Procession, held on the final Sunday. The animals, adorned for the occasion, parade through the town in a rite of blessing that has its roots in the rural civilization of Tuscia, when working livestock represented a family's most precious asset. It is one of the most photographed and beloved images of the festival, capable of transporting the village back to the atmosphere of a bygone era for a few hours.

The Pizzantiella Festival

The gastronomic side of the event has a specific name: the pizzantiella. It is a traditional Viterbo-style crepe, thicker than French crêpes, which is stuffed and served hot directly on the town's streets. The savory version features fillings of sausage, ham, and cheese, while the sweet version provides a generous end to the meal. On the day of the festival, the Saturday preceding the final procession, stalls set up in the historic center work tirelessly, and the scent of freshly made pizzantiella fills the squares.

The rest of the program revolves around the festival: food stands, traditional games, musical performances, and, in some editions, hot air balloon launches—another moment highly anticipated by children and families.

Organizers

The event is organized by the Confraternity of the Patron Saints of Monterosi in collaboration with the local Pro Loco, with the patronage of the Municipality of Monterosi and the Province of Viterbo. A little-known but significant aspect: the proceeds from the festival are traditionally donated to charity and the preservation of local heritage, from the restoration of sacred art to supporting families in need and local associations.

Why visit

Monterosi is located along the Via Cassia, halfway between Rome and Viterbo, in an area of Lazio rich in villages, volcanic lakes, and Etruscan heritage. Attending the patron saint festival means seeing a town in the Tuscia region in its most genuine dimension, far from the beaten tourist paths: a January Sunday among adorned oxen, brass bands, steaming pizzantielle, and a community that finds itself in its own roots. Visitors from outside are welcomed with the natural warmth typical of small towns, where the festival is never a show for a few, but a shared occasion.