Le Tentavecchie

A tradition that makes some noise

Le Tentavecchie is one of the most iconic traditions of the Viterbo Tuscia region. For three consecutive nights—January 3rd, 4th, and 5th—the historic center of Gradoli, in northern Lazio, is filled with noisy processions that are anything but improvised. Groups of children, teenagers, and adults arm themselves with lids, pots, ladles, pans, trumpets, cowbells, and anything else capable of making a sound, parading through alleys and squares to create a deafening clamor. The starting point is always the same: 9:00 PM at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the heart of the village, from where the noise spreads through every street in town.

Why so much noise?

The explanation passed down by the locals is simple and fascinating: the racket serves to wake up the Befana, the old lady who, on the night of the Epiphany, brings sweets to well-behaved children and coal to those who have misbehaved. Scholars and folklore enthusiasts, however, link the ritual to more ancient roots—pre-solstice pagan rites meant to drive away winter spirits—or to Christian memories associated with protecting the Baby Jesus from evil presences. In any case, the social function has remained the same for generations: to bring the community together to close out the Christmas season.

The hospitality of the Gradolesi

What makes Le Tentavecchie different from a simple parade is the hospitality found along the route. Those who open their doors offer adults a glass of Aleatico di Gradoli, the sweet DOC wine that is the town's great oenological star, while children are offered traditional local sweets. The procession thus becomes a long journey through the village, punctuated by stops, toasts, chats on the doorstep, and laughter: a form of collective hospitality that is renewed every January.

January 5th: The Befana flies from Palazzo Farnese

The final evening is the most anticipated. At 7:30 PM, the convivial Ceniamo insieme (Let's Dine Together) event takes place in the same pavilion that hosts the famous Pranzo del Purgatorio. On the menu: polenta and pork spare ribs, winter staples of the rural cuisine of the upper Viterbo area. At 10:00 PM, everyone gathers in front of the War Memorial to witness the descent of the Befana, who rappels from the top of Palazzo Farnese down to the square below to distribute sweets or coal to the little ones. The maneuver is carried out in total safety thanks to the professional support of the Gruppo Grotte Pipistrelli Terni, speleologists associated with the CAI, and remains the iconic image of the event.

A recognized event

In March 2026, the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy (UNPLI) awarded Le Tentavecchie the Quality Event seal for the 2025 edition: a national recognition that has been awarded to very few events in Lazio, certifying the authenticity of the tradition, the quality of the organization, and its deep roots in the community. The event is organized by the Pro Loco Gradoli APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Gradoli, the Lazio Region, the Province of Viterbo, and Arsial.

Gradoli and Lake Bolsena

The setting alone is worth the trip. Gradoli is a medieval village in the province of Viterbo overlooking the northwestern shore of Lake Bolsena, dominated by the 16th-century Palazzo Farnese, attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The town is also known for the Pranzo del Purgatorio, the other great Gradoli tradition linked to the Carnival period, and for its Aleatico DOC wine. Those who arrive for Le Tentavecchie will find an authentic village with stone alleys, historic cellars, and a lake-based rural gastronomy that is at its best in the heart of winter.

What to expect

• Atmosphere: popular, familiar, and very participatory—it's a village festival, not a tourist show.
• Audience: families with children, Tuscia enthusiasts, and folklore lovers.
• Clothing: January evenings are cold; bring a heavy coat, a hat, and comfortable shoes for the uphill alleys.
• Access: the streets of the historic center are narrow; it is best to arrive early and park outside the village.