Festa del Ventrisco - Bean Festival

A festival rooted in tradition

The Festa del Ventrisco - Bean Festival is the most iconic summer event in Castelforte, a village in the southern Pontine area of the Latina province, in southern Lazio, just a stone's throw from the Garigliano valley. Reaching its 48th edition in 2025, the event is organized by the Pro Loco of Castelforte with the support of the local municipality, standing as a historic tradition that blends nature, culture, and local gastronomy.

The ventrisco, a symbol of the town

The festival's name comes from the ventrisco, the local dialect term for the mastic tree that once grew wild on the San Giovanni tower. The plant is linked to a poignant saying among Castelforte emigrants: "I want to return to die under the ventrisco," expressing a deep desire to return to one's origins. The mastic tree has thus become an icon of Castelforte's identity, a call back to the roots and authentic flavors of the land.

The traditional dish

The heart of the festival is the tasting of beans, cooked slowly in pignati—ancient terracotta pots—over oak wood fires and served in small earthenware bowls. It is a humble yet generous dish, seasoned with:

• extra virgin olive oil from the hills surrounding the village;
• aromatic onions grown in the Garigliano valley;
• local pane cafone (rustic bread), baked in wood-fired ovens.

Families, residents, and the many emigrants who return home for their summer holidays gather around the food stalls: the festival is, above all, a moment for meeting and sharing.

Music and evenings in the square

Alongside the culinary offerings, there is a rich program of live music and entertainment for all ages. In recent editions, the square has hosted concerts, tribute bands, and themed evenings that bring the historic center to life until late, creating a popular festive atmosphere that delights both young and old.

Castelforte, between history and landscape

Castelforte is one of the most historic villages in the province of Latina, overlooking the Garigliano valley on the border between Lazio and Campania. Attending the Festa del Ventrisco means discovering an authentic territory, far from the most crowded tourist destinations, where peasant memory and a sense of community are still vibrant. The festival is traditionally held in the second half of August, when the town comes alive and the square becomes the living room for the entire community.