Integral Ecology Festival
Four days of environment, culture, youth, and spirituality in Montefiascone
About Integral Ecology
A festival that looks beyond the environment
The Integral Ecology Festival is one of the most original cultural events of the summer in the town of Montefiascone, in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Tuscia region of Lazio. Established in 2021 by the Associazione Rocca dei Papi ETS, the festival draws inspiration from the Laudato si' encyclical and the concept of "integral ecology": the idea that caring for the environment cannot be separated from social justice, the quality of human relationships, and the development of local areas.
It is not, therefore, merely an environmentalist review. Each edition brings together scientists, journalists, local administrators, artists, religious figures, and students, with the goal of fostering dialogue between worlds that rarely meet. It is a formula that has found its audience and has brought well-known names from Italian culture and media to Montefiascone.
The heart of the event
The nerve center of the festival is Piazza Santa Lucia Filippini, which hosts evening performances and official ceremonies. The morning meetings, the so-called "ecological breakfasts," take place at the Rocca dei Papi, the fortress that dominates the town and from which the gaze embraces the entire Lake Bolsena. Other events are held in the Cathedral of Santa Margherita, with its imposing dome, and at the Le Fontanelle municipal sports field for activities dedicated to younger people.
A multidisciplinary program
- Round tables on concrete issues: healthcare services in the regions, the future of historic centers, information and youth, and lake protection.
- Concerts and evening shows, ranging from singer-songwriter music to polyphonic choirs and brass bands.
- Theatrical readings and literary meetings with contemporary poets and authors.
- Awards and scholarships assigned to those who have distinguished themselves in caring for the "Common Home," with particular attention to local students.
- Spiritual moments, which remain an identifying component of the event.
- Sports and recreational activities for children and teenagers, designed to involve families.
Montefiascone and the Tuscia region
Montefiascone is famous throughout Italy for its white wine, the Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone, and for its panoramic position along the Via Francigena. The village, perched on an ancient volcanic cone, offers one of the most evocative viewpoints in Lazio: from the Rocca dei Papi, the view stretches over Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. This setting is not just a backdrop: the lake, its water fragility, and the surrounding agricultural landscape are recurring topics in the festival's debates.
Participants can easily combine the cultural experience with exploring the area: the local wineries, the lakeside villages of Bolsena, Marta, and Capodimonte, the thermal baths of Viterbo, and the Etruscan sites of Tuscia are all within easy reach.
Why attend
The Integral Ecology Festival is an event suitable for those looking for more than just a simple summer schedule. The meetings are open and accessible, the tone is informative without being superficial, and the free formula allows you to build your own path freely, between a morning conference at the Rocca and an evening concert in the square. It is also a great way to experience the village in its most authentic dimension, when the July evenings fill the squares with residents and visitors.
Integral Ecology — edition 2026
"Beyond the Deserts"
The theme chosen for the 6th edition ran through all four days of programming: environmental deserts, but also social, relational, and cultural ones, and the possibilities for rebirth that arise from caring for the land and people. The 2026 edition also took place during the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Guests and highlights
The opening on July 2 was entrusted to Mogol, accompanied on the piano by Giuseppe "Gioni" Barbera, followed by the "Maria Santa Rosiello" Polyphonic Choir and the poet Davide Rondoni. In the following days, the "ecological breakfasts" at the Rocca dei Papi alternated with sociologist Mario Morcellini and the mayors of the lake municipalities, round tables on local healthcare and historic centers, the first Youth Soccer Tournament of the festival with the presence of former footballer Ciro Ferrara, and the theatrical reading "A Temple to God" with Miriam Dalmazio and Emmanuel Casaburi. The closing, on Sunday, July 5, featured the Mass for Peace in the Cathedral presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and the final concert of the Carabinieri Band conducted by Maestro Massimo Martinelli.
Awards
The "Sentinel of Creation" scholarship, the "Guardian of the Common Home 2026" Award, and the scholarship dedicated to the "Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa" Institute were awarded.
Programme Integral Ecology 2026
Thursday, July 2
- 18:00 — "Mogol tells Mogol," with pianist and singer Giuseppe "Gioni" Barbera; presentation of the "Sentinel of Creation" scholarship
- 20:45 — Official inauguration with institutional greetings
- 21:00 — Concert by the "Maria Santa Rosiello" Polyphonic Choir
- 21:30 — Lecture-event by poet Davide Rondoni on nature and poetry
Friday, July 3
- 10:30 — "Ecological breakfast" at the Rocca dei Papi with Mario Morcellini: "Youth, ecology, and information"
- 16:00 — Le Fontanelle municipal sports field: 1st Youth Soccer Tournament of the Integral Ecology Festival
- 18:00 — Round table "Territory and healthcare services" with former rector Giuseppe Novelli, health director Franco Bifulco, and Rai science journalist Manuela Lucchini
- 21:00 — Tournament awards ceremony, with former footballer Ciro Ferrara
- 21:30 — "Guardian of the Common Home 2026" Award
Saturday, July 4
- 10:30 — "Ecological breakfast" at the Rocca dei Papi with the mayors of the lake area
- Inauguration of the textile exhibition
- 18:00 — Round table on historic centers with Honorable Luciano D'Alfonso
- 21:00 — Presentation of the "Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa" Institute scholarship
- 21:30 — Theatrical reading "A Temple to God" with Miriam Dalmazio and Emmanuel Casaburi
Sunday, July 5
- 18:00 — Cathedral of Santa Margherita: Mass for Peace presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
- 21:00 — Final concert of the Carabinieri Band conducted by Maestro Massimo Martinelli
Highlights Integral Ecology 2026
- Opening with Mogol in Piazza Santa Lucia Filippini
- The Mass for Peace presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- The closing concert of the Carabinieri Band
- The morning "ecological breakfasts" at the Rocca dei Papi, with a view of Lake Bolsena
- The first Youth Soccer Tournament with Ciro Ferrara
- The theatrical reading "A Temple to God" with Miriam Dalmazio
Prices Integral Ecology 2026
Practical information — Integral Ecology
How to get there
By car: take the Orvieto exit on the A1 motorway (approx. 30 km) or the Orte-Viterbo expressway. Montefiascone is about 17 km from Viterbo and 100 km from Rome.
By train: Viterbo Porta Fiorentina or Orvieto station, then take the Cotral bus to Montefiascone.
Admission
Admission to events is generally free until capacity is reached; advance registration may be required for some activities.
Tips
Evenings in Piazza Santa Lucia Filippini fill up quickly: it is advisable to arrive early. The historic center is hilly and cobbled, so comfortable shoes are recommended. For accommodation, in addition to Montefiascone, Bolsena, Marta, and Viterbo are excellent alternatives.
Information
Official website: festivalecologiaintegrale.it — phone +39 340 9409572.
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Where does it take place — Integral Ecology
Piazza Santa Lucia Filippini
Piazza Santa Lucia Filippini, 01027 Montefiascone