Formaticum & Salum'è

A gourmet market in the heart of Testaccio

Originally launched as a salon dedicated to rare Italian cheeses, Formaticum has established itself over the years as one of the most anticipated events for cheese lovers in the Capital. In 2026, the event takes a significant step forward by joining forces with Salum'è, the festival dedicated to artisanal cured meats. Together, they form a single event hosted in the Salone delle Vasche at La Pelanda, inside the former Mattatoio complex in the Testaccio district of Rome, Lazio. This location is far from coincidental: the slaughterhouse district has always been the home of traditional Roman cuisine and the 'quinto quarto' (offal), making the presence of a market dedicated to milk and meat, transformed with artisanal patience, almost symbolic.

What to expect at the fair

The formula is simple and rigorous: no middlemen, just producers sharing their stories in person. Around forty selected exhibitors from sixteen Italian regions bring over three hundred products, including cheeses and cured meats. It is a journey that traverses Italy from north to south at a leisurely pace.

• High-altitude and mountain cheeses made from raw milk, with long aging processes and tiny production batches;
• Pecorino, goat cheese, and buffalo mozzarella representing diverse regional traditions, from Lazio to Campania, and Sardinia to Tuscany;
• Cured meats from native pig breeds such as Cinta Senese and Nero dei Nebrodi, alongside speck and high-altitude aged products;
• Accompaniments: artisanal jams, honey and hive products, sourdough breads (featuring the new Garage Forno), single-origin coffee, and selected waters.

More than just a market: seminars and awards

The organizers—La Pecora Nera Editore together with Dol – Di Origine Laziale—have always insisted on one point: the fair must be a place for storytelling, not just a sales counter. Therefore, the program includes in-depth seminars, guided tastings, and certificates of merit for those who uphold artisanal traditions. The 2026 special edition features the presentation of the book Manifesto del formaggio nobile by Jiří Giorgio Jelínek, printed in five hundred numbered copies, dedicated to the art of creating great cheeses.

Who is it for?

The audience is intentionally diverse: enthusiasts and curious foodies on one side, and industry professionals, specialty shops, and restaurateurs on the other. Those arriving without specific expertise will find welcoming stalls and producers eager to explain the difference between raw and heat-treated milk; industry professionals will find a hub of small-scale producers that are hard to encounter elsewhere. It is not rare to leave the Salone delle Vasche with a full bag and a few new contacts in your pocket.

An opportunity for the neighborhood

The visit is perfect for extending your stay: the Mattatoio hosts contemporary exhibition spaces, the Monte dei Cocci and the Testaccio market are just a few minutes' walk away, and the entire area is rich in historic trattorias. For those visiting Rome in the spring, Formaticum & Salum'è offers a unique and tangible way to connect with Italian gastronomic biodiversity, far from the most beaten tourist paths.