"La Farnia d'Oro" National Literary Prize

A literary prize in the heart of Tuscia

The "La Farnia d'Oro" National Literary Prize is a cultural event that brings writers, poets, and essayists from all over Italy to Farnese, a small village in the Viterbo Tuscia region of northern Lazio, every summer. Promoted by the Farnese e Tuscia Viterbese Social Promotion Association with the moral and financial support of the Municipality of Farnese (province of Viterbo), the competition is dedicated to both published and unpublished works and has become a highly anticipated date on the late August literary calendar. In 2026, the prize reaches its tenth edition.

Competition categories

The national call for entries is divided into three categories open to adult authors:

• Fiction: short stories, fantasy, fables, and novellas on open themes;
• Poetry: poems on open themes;
• Non-fiction: essays on themes related to history, Renaissance and Baroque dynasties, and events that have shaped the territory.

The works, strictly anonymous and in Italian, are evaluated by a jury of historians, writers, teachers, publishers, and journalists. Each category awards the top five finishers.

The ceremony in Piazza della Rocca

The highlight is the final awards ceremony, which takes place in the scenic Piazza della Rocca (Piazza Regina Margherita), at the foot of the Rocca Farnese, in the presence of local authorities. Winners are presented with the "Farnia d'Oro," a historic gold artifact crafted by the skilled hands of Farnese artisans, accompanied by an honorary diploma with a critical note and a local gift.

La Farnia d'Oro Giovani and the People's Choice Award

Alongside the main competition, the 2026 edition features "La Farnia d'Oro Giovani", an initiative dedicated to middle school students, and the "Romolo Lucarelli" Special People's Choice Award, determined by online reader voting. The event thus engages the entire community, from the youngest participants to literature enthusiasts.

Farnese: between literature and identity

The prize is also an opportunity to discover Farnese, the village that gives its name to the famous Farnese dynasty and is home to DOP extra virgin olive oil, Tuscia wines, and the nearby Selva del Lamone Nature Reserve. Here, literature becomes a tool to strengthen the bond between the community, its history, and the landscape of Lazio.