Fregnacce Festival

A festival that tells the story of Sabina

The Fregnacce Festival takes place in Casali, a hamlet in the municipality of Poggio Nativo, in the province of Rieti, Lazio. It is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events in the Sabina region: for nearly thirty years, the village square has transformed into a large open-air dining room with long tables, food stalls, and a stage for live music. The 2026 edition marks the 29th anniversary, a testament to the enduring spirit of a festival born from the local committee's initiative and run entirely by volunteers.

What is a fregnaccia?

The 'fregnaccia' is a fresh, handmade pasta typical of the Sabina region: the dough is rolled out roughly, without any pretense of uniformity, and then torn into large, irregular pieces. It is a humble, traditional pasta designed to avoid waste, which holds sauce perfectly during cooking. The most traditional version is served with sugo alla sventrata, a sauce made with tomato, garlic, chili pepper, and 'persichina' (a local herb), but it can also be enjoyed 'in bianco' (plain), which is more delicate and equally delicious. Every year, the local 'sfogline' (pasta makers) prepare hundreds of kilograms of pasta in the days leading up to the festival: it is this collective effort, even more than the finished dish, that gives the festival its true meaning.

The evening menu

Alongside the fregnacce, the stalls offer other specialties from the Rieti area and a wide selection of drinks. In recent years, the committee has expanded its offerings to cater to everyone, including new dietary requirements.

• Fregnacce with 'sventrata' sauce or plain, the signature dish of the evening
• Traditional Sabina-style first courses with meat sauces
• Sandwiches filled with local products and cured meats
• A wide selection of beers, including international brands, and local wines
• Gluten-free options available upon request

Part of the Saint Anne Feast

The festival is not an isolated event: it is part of the celebrations in honor of Saint Anne, the cycle of patronal festivities that occupies much of July in Casali and has now surpassed its 45th edition. The patronal calendar alternates between religious moments, card tournaments, sporting events, concerts, and dance evenings, and includes another beloved festival, the Gnocchi al Castrato Festival, usually scheduled for the following week. Visitors to Casali during this period will find a village in celebration for days, not just for a single evening.

Atmosphere and music

The formula is the classic village festival style: dining outdoors under the lights, with tables filling up from the early evening before the square naturally gravitates toward the stage. The evenings feature ballroom dance bands and cover groups with repertoires designed to get multiple generations dancing together; other dates on the patronal program also feature DJ sets. Admission is free, and you only pay for what you consume, with affordable festival prices.

Where it is located

Poggio Nativo is a hilltop village in the Sabina region, just over forty kilometers from Rome and about thirty from Rieti: an area of olive groves, Romanesque churches, and hilltop towns, famous for its DOP Sabina extra virgin olive oil. The hamlet of Casali is located along the road connecting the municipal seat to the Tiber Valley and is easily accessible by car. For those visiting Lazio in summer, the festival is an authentic opportunity to discover a rustic cuisine rarely found in restaurants, within a completely local setting.