May 1st in the Mountains

A unique Labor Day in the mountains of Lazio

May 1st in the Mountains is the annual event where the municipality of Rocca di Cave, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Lazio), kicks off the summer season. Perched at 933 meters above sea level, overlooking the Sacco Valley and the Prenestini Mountains, the village welcomes families, hikers, and curious visitors every May 1st who choose to spend the day away from city traffic and large-scale urban events. It is a village festival in the most authentic sense: no massive stages, just squares and alleys filled with aromas, music, and conversation.

Piazza San Nicola, the heart of the day

The nerve center is Piazza San Nicola, where food stalls open at 12:00 PM. The culinary journey features typical Prenestini products and street food: cheeses and cured meats from nearby pastures, handmade pasta with local sauces, fava beans and pecorino cheese in keeping with the May 1st tradition, wood-fired bread, and local chestnuts and mushrooms, all paired with regional DOC wines. Tasting continues throughout the afternoon with no strict schedule.

Folk music and roving entertainment

The soundtrack of the day is provided by folk and traditional music groups, performing in the square and roaming through the village from late morning until sunset. Accordions, tambourines, and group dances evoke the traditions of Lazio and central Italy: those who wish can join the dance, while others can simply listen from an outdoor table.

The «Village of Science»: museum and planetarium

Rocca di Cave is known as the «Village of Science» thanks to the Rocca di Cave Museum System (SMuRC), which remains open during the festival with a dedicated program. The «Ardito Desio» Geopaleontological Museum tells the geological history of the area, built upon an ancient fossil coral reef from the Cretaceous period: guided tours allow visitors to observe rudists, corals, and marine fossils at nearly a thousand meters altitude. The Planetarium offers shows and guided tours of constellations and planets, with interactive activities and educational workshops designed for both children and adults. Booking is highly recommended, especially for the Planetarium and workshops, as spots are limited.

Nature, trails, and views

Those who arrive early can combine the festival with a walk along the hiking trails starting from the village: short routes suitable for families that wind through woods and flowery meadows, reaching panoramic viewpoints where, on clear days, the view stretches as far as the Castelli Romani and the Lepini Mountains. The geological value of the area is highlighted along the way with panels explaining the formation of the fossil reef.

Who is this day for?

• Families with children: museum workshops, planetarium, and open-air spaces.
• Food and wine lovers: zero-kilometer local products and traditional cuisine.
• Hikers: Prenestini Mountain trails and views over the Roman countryside.
• Science enthusiasts: fossils, geology, and astronomy in a single village.

A model of slow tourism in Lazio

The event, supported by the Municipality together with the Pro Loco and realized thanks to Ministry of Culture funds under NextGenerationEU, is part of the strategy of the small villages of the Prenestini Mountains to promote their natural and cultural heritage outside of mass tourism circuits. The result is a visitor-friendly day that combines what the territory does best: welcoming, cooking, and telling its story.