Festival of Vincisgrassi of the Vergare

The Festival of Vincisgrassi of the Vergare in Santa Lucia di Morrovalle

Every year, in late spring, the village of Santa Lucia di Morrovalle, part of the Municipality of Morrovalle in the province of Macerata, comes alive for the Festival of Vincisgrassi of the Vergare. The event, which will reach its twenty-second edition in 2026, is one of the most cherished food and wine events in the area and is held concurrently with the Feast of San Vincenzo Ferreri, the village's ancient religious celebration.

Vincisgrassi, the queen of the Marche table

The absolute star of the festival is the most beloved baked pasta dish of the Marche region: vincisgrassi, a rich lasagna prepared according to the traditional recipe by the 'vergare' of the village, the housewives who are guardians of the flavors of the past. Alongside vincisgrassi, the stalls offer other local peasant dishes, including the famous coniglio in potacchio (rabbit stew), and traditional desserts. It is precisely the knowledge of the 'vergare', who knead and cook in the festival kitchens, that gives the event its name and guarantees its authenticity.

Two days of village celebration

The festival takes place over a weekend, with food stalls open on Saturday evening and Sunday for lunch and dinner. The evenings are accompanied by live music, dance orchestras, and entertainment, while the village also features the traditional 'ruota della fortuna' (wheel of fortune) and 'briscola' card tournaments that attract enthusiasts. The festival retains the genuine atmosphere of Marche neighborhood festivals, where conviviality and the flavors of the land intertwine with devotion to the patron saint of the countryside.

San Vincenzo Ferreri and tradition

The festival is born and renewed within the framework of the Feast of San Vincenzo Ferreri, a 14th-century Dominican preacher venerated in Santa Lucia as the protector of the fields. The religious program, with a three-day preparation, a solemn Mass, and a procession, frames the civil celebrations. The event was revived by the village's young people and is now managed by the Parish of San Bartolomeo and the ACLI Circle of Santa Lucia, with the patronage of the Municipality of Morrovalle.