Gnocchi co' i Ferro Festival

A festival dedicated to the signature pasta of Soriano

In Soriano nel Cimino, a village in the province of Viterbo nestled on the slopes of the Cimini Mountains, the Gnocchi co' i Ferro Festival pays homage to one of the most representative dishes of local gastronomy. The event, established in 2023 by the Pro Loco of Soriano nel Cimino, has grown rapidly to become one of the most anticipated summer appointments in Soriano, alongside the historic Chestnut Festival that attracts visitors from all over Lazio in the autumn.

Gnocchi co' i ferro: flour, water, and a knitting needle

The name of this pasta tells the whole story: gnocchi co' i ferro are prepared with just three ingredients—flour, water, and salt—and take shape by rolling a small piece of dough around a knitting or umbrella needle, which leaves the characteristic hole in the center. It is an ancient, humble technique passed down from generation to generation in the kitchens of Tuscia, where preserving a recipe means preserving a history. During the festival, the gnocchi are served in several variations: with classic meat sauce (ragù), truffle from the Cimini Mountains, mushrooms, or in a vegetarian version, always prepared with genuine local products.

A program for all ages

The festival is not just about food. Over the four days, Piazza Guglielmo Marconi and the village host a program that weaves together gastronomy, live music, cultural meetings, and outdoor activities. Evenings begin with dinner at the food stalls starting at 7:00 PM, while on Sunday, gnocchi can also be enjoyed for lunch. There is no shortage of nature-related proposals: guided walks, yoga, readings, e-bike excursions, and the Salifaggeta, a race that combines sport and love for the centuries-old beech forest of Monte Cimino, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Soriano nel Cimino, the green heart of Tuscia

The Municipality of Soriano nel Cimino is one of the most fascinating villages in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region. Dominated by the imposing Castello Orsini, commissioned in the 13th century by Pope Nicholas III, the town preserves a medieval historic center of alleys, small squares, and Renaissance palaces such as Palazzo Chigi Albani. All around lie the woods of the Cimini Mountains, a kingdom of chestnuts, mushrooms, and truffles: a setting that explains why Soriano's cuisine is so tied to the flavors of the undergrowth and handmade pasta.

An authentic festival signed by the Pro Loco

Like the best Italian village festivals, the Gnocchi co' i Ferro Festival is a community celebration: the cooking and serving are done by volunteers from the Pro Loco and local associations, and the atmosphere is the genuine one of village tables. For those visiting Tuscia in the summer, it is a perfect opportunity to discover a dish that is hard to find in restaurants outside the area, savoring it in the place where it was born.