Francigena con Gusto
Three days of art, flavors, and slow tourism along the Via Francigena in Acquapendente
About Francigena con Gusto
Francigena con Gusto: The story of Alta Tuscia
Every year in early June, the village of Acquapendente, located in the province of Viterbo in the heart of the Lazio region's Alta Tuscia, becomes a hub for slow tourism. Francigena con Gusto is an event that celebrates the profound bond between the Via Francigena—the ancient pilgrimage route to Rome—and the gastronomic and cultural identity of this corner of Lazio, bordering Tuscany and Umbria.
Created to showcase the flavors, craftsmanship, and collective memory of the area, the event unites contemporary art, traditional gastronomy, and reflections on sustainability. The historic center of Acquapendente, with its cloisters, churches, and medieval alleys, turns into a widespread stage where every stop is both a taste and a discovery.
A journey through art and flavor
The common thread is the pilgrimage: visitors stroll along the Via Francigena Aquesiana, stopping at tasting stalls, visiting exhibitions set up in the village's historic sites, and participating in workshops dedicated to traditional crafts and recipes. The Traditional Street Food section brings the specialties of Alta Tuscia to the table, from porchetta and wild boar pappardelle to trippa all'aquesiana, as well as local sweets and wines from the Viterbo Francigena area.
- Contemporary Art: Collective exhibitions inviting artists to interpret the landscape and beauty of Alta Tuscia.
- Food and Wine: Guided tastings of wines, local products, craft beers, and traditional dishes.
- Workshops: Demonstrations and courses on the art of handmade goods, from pasta dough for piadinas and fettuccine to local crafts.
- Slow Tourism: Gourmet trekking and urban walks along the historic route of the Via Francigena.
- Culture and Memory: Exhibitions of historical pageant costumes and meetings on local agricultural traditions.
Acquapendente, gateway to the Via Francigena
Situated in the far north of Lazio, Acquapendente has been a fundamental stop on the road to Rome for centuries, preserving a historical heritage linked to devotion and the passage of pilgrims. With Francigena con Gusto, the municipality transforms this vocation into an experience to be savored slowly, amidst authentic flavors, encounters, and walks. It is an event designed for those who love slow travel, fine dining, and the intimate atmosphere of Lazio's inland villages.
Francigena con Gusto — edition 2026
The eighth edition of Francigena con Gusto enlivened the historic center of Acquapendente from June 5th to 7th, 2026, confirming the formula that combines art, flavors, and slow tourism along the Via Francigena. Among the village's iconic sites, from the Cloister of San Francesco to the medieval alleys, exhibitions, workshops, tastings, and urban walks took place, focusing on the themes of sustainability and the rediscovery of local roots.
The event, promoted by the Municipality of Acquapendente together with the Arisa Association and numerous local partners, featured Traditional Street Food with Alta Tuscia specialties, the 'Orme Creative' contemporary art exhibition, and the 'Passi e Assaggi' cultural walk.
Programme Francigena con Gusto 2026
Friday, June 5
- 17:30 — Inauguration of the 'Orme Creative' contemporary art collective exhibition at the Cloister of San Francesco, featuring six artists interpreting the beauty of Alta Tuscia (Stefano Menichelli, Giulia Menichelli, Carla Vaccarelli, Margarita Vera, Moreno Lanzi, Piero Mariani).
- 18:00 — Round table on sustainability, agricultural traditions, and slow tourism.
- Evening — Tastings of local products and live music with the band Canvas.
Saturday, June 6
- 11:00 — 'The art of handmade things' workshop, dedicated to preparing dough for piadinas and fettuccine.
- 18:00 — Exhibition of historical costumes from the Acquapendente Pageant at the church of San Francesco.
- 18:30 — Official inauguration of the 8th edition.
- 19:00 — Traditional Street Food trail in the historic center, with local dishes (trippa all'aquesiana, wild boar pappardelle, porchetta, lentils), wines, craft beers, sweets, ceramics, and crafts, accompanied by roaming music.
Sunday, June 7
- 10:30 — 'Passi e Assaggi: the gourmet trek', a cultural walk along the urban route of the Via Francigena led by architect Renzo Chiovelli, with gourmet stops and tastings.
Highlights Francigena con Gusto 2026
Prices Francigena con Gusto 2026
Practical information — Francigena con Gusto
How to get there
Acquapendente is located in the far north of Lazio, in the province of Viterbo, on the border with Tuscany and Umbria. By car, it can be reached via the A1 motorway (Orvieto exit, then SS71) or the Via Cassia (SS2). The nearest train station is Orvieto, which is connected by regional buses.
Admission
Access to the event is free. Tastings at the Traditional Street Food area, workshops, and guided tastings may incur costs at individual stands and refreshment points.
Tips
Activities take place in the historic center and along the Via Francigena Aquesiana: comfortable shoes are recommended for walking tours. For the updated program and schedules, please refer to the official website and the social media channels of the Municipality of Acquapendente.
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Where does it take place — Francigena con Gusto
Centro storico e Via Francigena Aquesiana
Centro storico, 01021 Acquapendente