Maccaruni Festival - Reliving the Historic Center

A festival in the heart of Sabina

The Maccaruni Festival takes place every year in early August in Ponticelli Sabino, a charming hamlet in the municipality of Scandriglia, in the province of Rieti, Lazio region. The village, nestled at an altitude of about 300 meters between the Lucretili Mountains and Monte degli Elci, is just 45 kilometers from Rome and is one of the most authentic corners of Sabina. The festival is the gastronomic heart of a larger event, Reliving the Historic Center, which has been held traditionally on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August since 2000, reaching its twenty-third edition in 2025.

Maccaruni, a jealously guarded recipe

The absolute stars are the maccaruni, a pasta similar to thick spaghetti, rolled by hand by local expert cooks according to a recipe passed down from generation to generation and kept strictly secret. Dressed with a savory ragù, the maccaruni are served on the elegant terrace of Castello Orsini, which for the occasion turns into a large open-air restaurant overlooking the Sabina hills. Alongside the signature dish, food stands offer other local specialties: in past editions, these have included fried pizzas, sandwiches, lamb skewers, anise donuts, and craft beer, while the 'Wine Barrels' allow visitors to discover local Sabina wines.

Reliving the Historic Center: the village as a stage

For three evenings, the streets, small squares, and most beautiful corners of the historic center become true natural stages. The public strolls among roving performances by clowns, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, human statues, magicians, singers, musicians, and dancers, in an atmosphere reminiscent of the markets and festivals of the past. In the village's ancient cellars, artisans demonstrate the making of soaps, waxes, and textiles, alongside displays of crafts and food products. Each edition has its own theme: in 2023, for example, the theme was the legendary sixties, with the public invited to participate in period costumes.

Castello Orsini and the history of Ponticelli

Castello Orsini, first documented in 1059, dominates the village and tells its long history: it belonged to the powerful Orsini family until 1644, then passed to Taddeo Barberini. Nearby, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Colle, with 14th and 15th-century frescoes, and the 1370 sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie are well worth a visit. The early August festival is also an opportunity to discover this heritage, illuminated and animated as it rarely is during the rest of the year.

A tradition that unites the community

Organized by the Antico Ponte Celio Cultural Association with the support of the local community and the Municipality of Scandriglia, the event is a successful example of a village festival capable of attracting visitors from across the province of Rieti and Rome. Entry to the village is free, and the evening event, from sunset to midnight, offers the pleasure of a cool summer stroll amidst the aromas of cooking, music, and crafts: a small journey back in time in the green heart of Lazio.