Maccaroni Canepinesi Festival

A festival dedicated to 'fieno canepinese'

The Maccaroni Canepinesi Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in the Viterbo Tuscia area. It is held annually in Canepina, a small village perched on the wooded slopes of the Monti Cimini, in the province of Viterbo, Lazio. Created to showcase a dish passed down through generations, the festival attracts thousands of visitors drawn by the aroma of maccaroni canepinesi, the specialty that has made the village famous far beyond regional borders.

The signature dish: 'fieno' pasta

The absolute star is the so-called 'fieno canepinese' (hay pasta), a unique type of egg pasta: local women hand-roll a paper-thin sheet, roll it up, cut it into extremely fine strips, and leave it to dry for a day until it takes on the light, golden appearance of hay. The result is a pasta so delicate it melts in your mouth. Traditionally served with meat ragù and a dusting of pecorino cheese, the festival offers several variations: with ragù, with porcini mushrooms, and the unique 'all'Ernestina' version. Throughout the evenings, demonstrations and screenings showcase the artisanal craft of making this dough, a true culinary heritage of the community.

Two weekends of flavor and conviviality

The event takes place over two weekends in July at Piazzale Primo Maggio, the heart of the festivities. Food stalls open every evening from 7:30 PM with a rich à la carte menu, with lunch service available on Sundays. Each evening is enlivened by live music and shows, with musical performances and dance groups accompanying dinner in a cheerful, family-friendly atmosphere. In case of rain, seating is guaranteed inside the characteristic Santa Corona cellar, ensuring the party never stops.

Canepina and the Monti Cimini

Visiting the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Canepina, a charming medieval village dominated by the Castello degli Anguillara and home to a rich Museum of Popular Traditions. Just a few kilometers away, you will find Lake Vico, the city of Viterbo with its medieval quarter, and the Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola: a territory that blends nature, history, and authentic flavors. The Maccaroni Canepinesi Festival, promoted by the Municipality of Canepina and organized by the Pro Loco together with the local AVIS, is the best way to experience the genuine soul of the Tuscia region.

Why attend

• A signature dish: 'fieno' pasta, hand-rolled by the village's local women.
• Many variations: with ragù, porcini mushrooms, and the 'all'Ernestina' style.
• Live music and shows every evening at Piazzale Primo Maggio.
• A village to discover among the woods of the Monti Cimini, just a stone's throw from Lake Vico.