Fisherman's Festival

A festival born from the lake

The Fisherman's Festival in Marta, located in the province of Viterbo (Lazio), is considered by many to be the queen of Lake Bolsena festivals. It is not a manufactured event: it was born in 1998 through the initiative of the "Alberto Lisoni" Cultural Circle, together with local fishmongers and fishermen, with the simple idea of sharing what Marta families have always eaten with visitors. Since then, the event has been held every August for over twenty years, remaining faithful to its original formula: lake fish caught the same day and cooked on-site by those who caught it.

The Fisherman's Quarter, an authentic setting

The festival takes place on the lakefront, on Via Amalasunta, in the Fisherman's Quarter near the Pontone area. It is perhaps the most picturesque spot in the town: the characteristic Etruscan boats of Marta's fishermen are pulled onto the beach, while nets and fishing gear decorate the area, recreating the atmosphere of a bygone era. As evening falls, lights shimmer on the water and the scent of frying fish fills the lake air: first-time visitors immediately understand why this festival has become a small classic of the Viterbo summer.

What to eat

The menu is strictly focused on the three queen species of Lake Bolsena: whitefish, perch, and pike. Signature dishes include:

• whitefish cream on crusty bread, as an appetizer;
• marinated whitefish fillet;
• whitefish fillet in Marta-style red "acquapazza" sauce;
• fisherman's pasta with whitefish, perch, and pike;
• "lake flower" mixed fry with perch fillet in a nut crust;
• french fries, watermelon, and dessert to finish.

Drinks are generally not included in the full menu. The stands also feature typical products and wines from the Tuscia region, from extra virgin olive oil from the hills surrounding the lake to local labels.

A freshwater fish to rediscover

Lake Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe, and professional fishing has been practiced there for centuries. Whitefish, in particular, has a delicate white flesh that many visitors find to be a revelation: it is not the sea fish one is accustomed to, and the best way to experience it is through a festival like this, where it is served in five or six different preparations in a single evening. Even pike, often considered difficult to prepare, is treated here with the confidence of those who have been cooking it for generations.

Marta, beyond the festival

The town deserves a few extra hours. The historic center rises in tiers from the lake up to the Clock Tower, the symbol of Marta, while just above the town lies the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, linked to the famous Barabbata in May, the town's most iconic rural re-enactment. The lakefront is perfect for a sunset stroll, and the beach is suitable for swimming: many visitors arrive in the afternoon, take a dip, and stay for dinner. Within a few kilometers, you can find Capodimonte, Bolsena, and Montefiascone, with the Bisentina Island reachable by boat.

An event that is also a community

Behind the stands are volunteers, fishing families, and members of the cultural circle: the Fisherman's Festival is, first and foremost, a village festival, and you can feel it. The pace is that of a true local sagra, unhurried, with long tables near the water and live music accompanying the evenings. For those traveling through Tuscia in August, it is one of the best opportunities to understand the bond between this territory and its lake.