Grottaferrata Frittella Festival

A festival born to save a flavour

The Grottaferrata Frittella Festival is one of the youngest yet most identity-defining folk festivals in the Castelli Romani area. It takes place every June at Parco Traiano, the large green space in the heart of the town of Grottaferrata, in the province of Rome, Lazio, just a stone's throw from the Greek Abbey of San Nilo. The idea is simple and generous: to bring back to the public square a product that was at risk of disappearing—the local frittella—and use it as a pretext for four days of festivities open to everyone.

What is the Grottaferrata frittella?

It is neither a dessert nor exactly a fried pizza: the Grottaferrata frittella is a leavened dough, hand-stretched and plunged into boiling oil until it turns golden and develops a fragrance that can be smelled from afar. It was the classic afternoon snack that grandmothers prepared with whatever was available in the pantry, which is why it has become a small symbol of the town's gastronomic identity. At the dedicated stand, the frittelle are prepared on the spot, following the traditional artisanal method, and served hot.

Who organizes it

The event is hosted by the "Ce Steva 'Na Vota" cultural association, chaired by Roberta D'Eramo, which over the years has established a fixed date in the Grottaferrata summer calendar. The association's name—meaning "once upon a time" in local dialect—perfectly captures the project's essence: recovering the town's popular memory, from flavours to songs. The festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Grottaferrata.

How it works

The formula is well-tested and repeated over four days:

• Food area featuring traditional Castelli Romani dishes, open from late afternoon on weekdays and from noon on weekends;
• Frittella stand, the heart of the festival, with live preparation;
• Aperitif in the park with music in the early evening;
• Live concerts every night, with a special focus on tribute bands and Italian folk music;
• Activities for families and children, ranging from games to initiatives by local associations.

A local crowd, a neighbourhood atmosphere

Visitors from outside will find exactly what they expect from a Castelli festival: long tables under the trees, affordable prices, and locals who know each other by name. Parco Traiano, with its lawns and trees, allows for a great layout of stands and the stage, keeping the event family-friendly: dogs on leashes are welcome, and admission is free. Evenings conclude with music, but without the excesses of large-scale festivals: it is a village festival, and it intends to stay that way.

Grottaferrata and the Castelli Romani

Grottaferrata is a classic destination for a day trip from Rome: the Abbey of San Nilo, a Byzantine-rite monastery founded in 1004 and still inhabited by Basilian monks, is one of the most unique sites in Lazio. Surrounding it is the landscape of the Alban Hills, with the vineyards of Frascati, the villages of Marino, Rocca di Papa, and Castel Gandolfo, and Lake Albano just a few kilometres away. Visiting the festival in June is also the perfect opportunity to spend a full day in the Castelli, enjoying visits, wineries, and walks, before finishing the evening with a freshly fried frittella.