Monna Oliva - Award for the Best Table Olives
The national table olive awards held in the medieval castle of Itri
About Monna Oliva
A national award for table olives
Monna Oliva is the national competition that recognizes the finest Italian table olives each year. Born from the UMAO - Mediterranean Union of Oil Tasters, the contest showcases the most representative cultivars from across the peninsula, from Nocellara del Belice to Ascolana del Piceno, and from the Gaeta olive to Sardinian and Apulian varieties, all evaluated by panels of professional tasters using sensory analysis criteria. The award is more than just a competition; it is an opportunity for study and public discussion on a supply chain often overlooked compared to oil production, yet representing a vital part of Mediterranean agriculture.
Itri, a land of olive trees
In 2026, the event arrived in Itri, a town in the province of Latina, in the heart of southern Lazio, nestled between the Aurunci Mountains and the Gulf of Gaeta. Itri is historically linked to the cultivation of the Itrana olive, the variety from which the famous Gaeta olive is derived, and its agricultural landscape of terraces and ancient olive groves is central to its deep-rooted identity. During the 2026 edition, the town was awarded the City of Oil flag, a national recognition certifying the territory's olive-growing vocation.
The setting: the Medieval Castle
The courtyard of the Medieval Castle of Itri serves as the stage for the event. The fortress, which dominates the old town with its towers and defensive walls, is one of the most recognizable monuments in southern Lazio. It provides an unconventional backdrop for a food and wine event: seminars, buffets, and award ceremonies take place outdoors, surrounded by medieval stone and views of the valley.
Two days of seminars and tastings
The program alternates between technical sessions and social gatherings. The first day is dedicated to sustainable olive growing, featuring reports from university professors, agronomists, and representatives of agricultural cooperatives. The second day focuses on table olives in the kitchen, exploring the balance between tradition and innovation with contributions from chambers of commerce, trade organizations, and regional institutions. Between the sessions, there is time to explore the area, with guided tours of the medieval village and the ancient trappeti—historic oil mills carved directly into the rock.
- Technical seminars open to the public on sustainability, cultivars, and sensory analysis
- Guided tour of the historic center, the medieval village, and historic oil mills
- Award ceremony for the competing categories
- Buffet featuring the winning olives and typical products from the Aurunci region
Organizers and supporters
The event is promoted by UMAO in partnership with the Municipality of Itri, with the collaboration of the ImprontAurunca association for cultural activities and guided tours. The event is sponsored by the Lazio Region, the National Association of Cities of Oil, and the Accademia dei Georgofili, confirming the scientific and institutional prestige of the award.
Why it is worth visiting
Monna Oliva is a must for industry professionals, but it is also a fantastic gateway to the lesser-known side of Lazio. The public can attend the seminars for free, taste the winning olives, and discover a village that is well worth a visit regardless of the event. Those arriving from the coast of Gaeta or Sperlonga will find the agricultural hinterland that has always nourished that sea, in a day that blends agriculture, history, and fine food.
Monna Oliva — edition 2026
Monna Oliva 2026 in Itri
For its twelfth edition, the national award Monna Oliva chose Itri, the heart of olive growing in southern Lazio and home of the Itrana olive. The event was spread over two afternoons in the courtyard of the Medieval Castle, with free admission.
Friday, May 29 - Sustainable olive growing
The first day was dedicated to the prospects of sustainable olive growing, with opening remarks by Mayor Andrea Di Biase and Councilor Massimo Pelliccia, and speeches by Prof. Primo Proietti (University of Perugia), agronomist Gaetano Paparella, and Francesco Meschino, president of the UNAGRI cooperative. The coordination was handled by Tiziana Briguglio, vice-president of ARGA Lazio.
Saturday, May 30 - Table olives in the kitchen
The second day opened in the morning with a guided tour of the historic center, the medieval village, and one of the ancient oil mills, led by Antonio Masella for the ImprontAurunca association. In the afternoon, the focus Table olives in the kitchen: tradition and innovation brought together Paola Fioravanti (president of UMAO), Daniele Pili (Coldiretti Latina), Giovanni Acampora (Chamber of Commerce), Regional Councilor Elena Palazzo, and Prof. Raffaele Sacchi of the University Federico II of Naples. This was followed by the presentation of the City of Oil flag to the Municipality and the award ceremony for the eight competition categories.
Programme Monna Oliva 2026
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Sustainable olive growing
- 16:30 - Welcome and coffee break
- 17:00 - Institutional greetings from Mayor Andrea Di Biase and Councilor Massimo Pelliccia
- 17:15 - Presentations: Prof. Primo Proietti (University of Perugia), agronomist Gaetano Paparella, Francesco Meschino (president of UNAGRI cooperative); moderated by Tiziana Briguglio (vice-president of ARGA Lazio)
- 19:30 - Buffet with typical local products
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - Table olives in the kitchen
- 10:00-12:00 - Guided tour of the historic center, the medieval village, and a historic oil mill, led by Antonio Masella (ImprontAurunca association)
- 15:30 - Welcome in the courtyard of the Medieval Castle
- 16:00 - Opening of the proceedings
- 17:00 - Focus "Table olives in the kitchen: tradition and innovation" with Paola Fioravanti (president of UMAO), Daniele Pili (Coldiretti Latina), Giovanni Acampora (Chamber of Commerce), Elena Palazzo (Lazio Region Councilor), and Prof. Raffaele Sacchi (University Federico II of Naples)
- 17:45 - Presentation of the City of Oil flag to the Municipality of Itri
- 18:15 - Award ceremony for the 12th edition of the competition
- 19:30 - Buffet with the winning olives
Highlights Monna Oliva 2026
- Award ceremony for the eight categories of the national table olive competition
- Presentation of the City of Oil flag to the Municipality of Itri
- Seminar on sustainable olive growing with the University of Perugia
- Free guided tour of the medieval village and historic oil mills
- Buffet with the winning olives and typical Aurunci products
- Setting of the Medieval Castle courtyard of Itri
Prices Monna Oliva 2026
Practical information — Monna Oliva
Getting there
Itri can be reached by car via the Via Appia (SS7) or from the Cassino exit on the A1 motorway, continuing toward the Gulf of Gaeta. By train, the Itri station is served by the Rome-Naples line via Formia; a convenient alternative is the Formia-Gaeta station, which is connected by local buses. Nearest airports: Rome Fiumicino and Naples Capodichino.
Admission
Free admission to seminars, award ceremonies, and guided tours.
Contacts
Municipality of Itri, Culture Office: [email protected], tel. +39 0771 732208. Information on the competition: www.monnaoliva.it
Tips
The Medieval Castle is located in the upper part of the village: comfortable shoes are recommended for the uphill streets. The end of May is also an ideal time to combine the visit with the beaches of Sperlonga and Gaeta, just a twenty-minute drive away.
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Where does it take place — Monna Oliva
Castello Medioevale di Itri
Castello Medioevale, Via del Castello, 04020 Itri