Gnocchi Festival (Ragù & Truffle Edition)

A festival that tells the story of Pontecorvo

The Gnocchi Festival has become one of the most anticipated summer events in Pontecorvo, a town in the province of Frosinone overlooking the Liri Valley in the heart of the Lazio region's Ciociaria. Every year, in early August, the Belvedere of Piazza Alcide De Gasperi is set up with long tables, food stalls, and a stage: from there, the view stretches over the historic center and the surrounding hills, making the festival a perfect way to enjoy the town during the cooler hours of the day.

Born as a volunteer initiative and growing with each edition, the event reached its tenth anniversary in 2025, presented with the "Ragù & Truffle Edition" formula: two different sauces for the same signature dish, designed to satisfy both those seeking the taste of home and those looking for something more refined.

The star dish

Gnocchi are taken seriously here. Kneaded and prepared in large quantities in the field kitchens set up for the occasion, they are served hot, freshly drained, and dressed to order. In recent editions, the preparation has been overseen by chef Tommaso Prata, who signed off on the festival's two main variations:

• Gnocchi with ragù — the traditional recipe, with a slow-cooked sauce, just like in the homes of Ciociaria.
• Gnocchi with truffle — the more fragrant and contemporary version that gave the edition its name.

Alongside the main dish, the stalls offer other local specialties, desserts, and regional wines, creating a tasting journey that unfolds along the entire Belvedere.

Music, entertainment, and atmosphere

The Gnocchi Festival is not just about gastronomy: every evening features a stage performance, with a well-tested rotation of live music, tributes to the great names of Italian song, DJ sets, and cabaret. In 2025, the lineup included N'Duccio, a Renato Zero tribute, the reggaeton DJ set by DJ Cresh with Gigione, and the comedy of Martufello. Evenings begin around 9 PM and continue late into the night, with the square remaining lively even after the concerts end.

When a festival becomes a community

Like many festivals in southern Lazio, the event is run by a group of local volunteers: they are the ones who knead, serve, set up, and dismantle. The result is a festival with affordable prices, where local families sit alongside visitors arriving from Cassino, Frosinone, or the nearby Terra di Lavoro. For many Pontecorvo natives who have moved away, those August days are the perfect excuse to return.

Pontecorvo, beyond the festival

Those arriving for the festival will find a town that deserves a few extra hours. The medieval historic center, perched around the fortress, preserves alleys, stairways, and glimpses of the valley; the Co-cathedral of San Bartolomeo and the remains of the ancient walls tell a long history, also marked by the destruction of World War II, when Pontecorvo found itself on the Cassino front line. The area is also known for the Pontecorvo PDO Pepper, celebrated by another festival in September, and for the Pontecorvo Carnival, one of the longest-running in Lazio.

Tips for your visit

August evenings on the Belvedere are breezy but crowded: it is best to arrive early to find a seat at a table and park without too much trouble. The atmosphere is the informal one of a village festival, also suitable for those traveling with children.