Maza Festival

A festival born from a millenary focaccia

The Maza Festival is the signature event of Lanuvio, a village in the Castelli Romani area within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. At the heart of the event is maza, an ancient focaccia made from spelt, barley, chickpeas, and fava beans: a ritual food of Roman Lanuvium, traditionally offered to the sacred Serpent kept in the sanctuary of Juno Sospita, the city's great protective deity. Considered a distant ancestor of pizza, this evocative connection has made Maza the gastronomic and cultural symbol of the region.

Villa Sforza, the stage for the event

The festival takes place within the grounds of Villa Sforza, which transforms into a large open-air experiential space for an entire weekend. Adults and children can rediscover the roots of Latin civilization through a variety of activities: this is not just a food festival, but a journey that weaves together archaeological education, craftsmanship, entertainment, and conviviality.

What to experience at the festival

• Experimental archaeology — workshops dedicated to fire-starting, flint knapping, and prehistoric weaponry, curated in collaboration with the Civic and Diffused Museum of Lanuvio.
• Roman encampment — re-enactors from the Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix set up camp, display equipment, and offer combat demonstrations and educational workshops for children.
• Historical re-enactment — the staging of The Goddess and the Serpent, which recounts the ritual linked to Juno Sospita and the maza.
• Family workshops — ancient games, chess-themed treasure hunts, cheesemaking activities with tastings, and workshops on ancient musical instruments.
• Live art — en plein air painting and sessions that combine art and wine in a guided tasting format.
• Tastings — Maza prepared by chef Giuseppe Verri is offered for tasting, accompanied by wines from local Castelli Romani producers.

Flavors of the Castelli Romani

While Maza is the central theme, the festival also serves as a showcase for the area's agricultural excellence: bread, cheeses, olive oil, and above all, the white wine that has made the Castelli Romani famous. The tastings are not just a side attraction, but the moment when historical research becomes a convivial act: you get to taste what you have just seen described and reconstructed.

Organizers

The event is promoted by the Municipality of Lanuvio in collaboration with the municipal administration and the Civic and Diffused Museum, alongside a dense network of local associations: Lanuvio Nuova Pro Loco, APS Campoleone, Innova APS, Civita Folk, Scacchi in Tour, A.R.S. Historia Romana, Atletica Lanuvium Neptunia, and the Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix APS. It is this collaboration between institutions, schools, artists, and producers that gives the festival its collective spirit.

Why it's worth the trip

Lanuvio is located just over thirty kilometers from Rome, in an area that combines archaeology, vineyards, and hilly landscapes. The Maza Festival is the perfect opportunity to visit the village away from the more crowded circuits of the Castelli Romani, during a time—late autumn—when the Lazio countryside offers its most beautiful colors. It is a family-friendly event with plenty of activities designed for children, but also for those seeking a serious and well-documented approach to the history of ancient food.