Gnocchetti alla Montanara Festival (Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows)

A festival of faith and flavor in the heart of the Ernici Mountains

The Gnocchetti alla Montanara Festival is the culinary soul of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, which the Municipality of Vico nel Lazio celebrates every year on the first Sunday of September. It is one of the most anticipated events of the Ciociaria summer: the moment when the village, perched on the slopes of the Ernici Mountains in the province of Frosinone, concludes the festive season with a weekend that combines religious processions with traditional dining.

Our Lady of Sorrows, a local devotion

The religious festival is organized by the local confraternity and centers around the solemn mass in the Church of San Martino and the procession that winds through the historic center, accompanied by a brass band. In Vico nel Lazio, devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows runs deep: a church in the village is dedicated to this cult, and the September recurrence—brought forward to the first Sunday of the month instead of the liturgical date of September 15th—has always been one of the defining celebrations for the local community.

Gnocchetti alla montanara, the signature dish

The secular heart of the festival is the fair dedicated to gnocchetti alla montanara, a typical preparation of Ciociaria mountain cuisine: small, rustic gnocchi seasoned according to the local recipe, cooked and served by the confraternity's volunteers. The food stand set up in the square also offers other regional specialties in a convivial setting where people eat outdoors at shared tables, accompanied by live music. In 2025, the festival reached its seventeenth edition, a testament to a proven formula that attracts locals, returning emigrants, and visitors from neighboring towns every year.

Piazza Garibaldi and the walled village

The backdrop for the festival is the historic Piazza Garibaldi, with the Church of San Martino acting as a stage. Vico nel Lazio is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Ciociaria: its defensive walls with towers, stone alleys, and ancient churches make it a prized destination for those exploring the Lazio hinterland between Alatri, Guarcino, and the trails of the Ernici Mountains. Attending the festival is also the perfect excuse for a stroll through the historic center, perhaps in the late afternoon, before the square comes alive for the evening.

What to expect

• Food stand featuring gnocchetti alla montanara prepared by the confraternity and other local specialties;
• Live music and musical accompaniment throughout the evening;
• Dance performances and entertainment in the square;
• Religious celebrations on Sunday, with a solemn mass and procession through the village streets;
• An authentic village festival atmosphere with free admission.

The 2026 edition

The Municipality of Vico nel Lazio has announced the "Vico Summer" program for 2026, which will accompany the community from June to October with food festivals, patronal feasts, literary meetings, and excursions. Based on tradition, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and the gnocchetti festival are expected for the weekend of the first Sunday of September 2026; however, the official date and program have not yet been published. It is advisable to check for updates on the Municipality's channels before traveling.