Monte Compatri and its Traditions

A festival born to rediscover local products

Monte Compatri and its Traditions is the food and wine festival that the Municipality of Monte Compatri, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, dedicates to its local products every September. Launched in 2024 by the municipal administration with the support of Arsial (the Regional Agency for the Development and Innovation of Agriculture in Lazio) and in collaboration with the Pro Loco Monte Compatri, the festival has a clear goal: to showcase what the Castelli Romani land still produces today and share its history, rather than just serving it on a plate.

Cicerchie, wine, and ciambelline

The three protagonists are always the same, and they are not chosen by chance. The cicerchia is an ancient legume that was a staple of the rural diet in Lazio for centuries before nearly disappearing from the countryside; here, it returns to the center of the plate and guided tastings. The wine is that of the Castelli Romani, which in Monte Compatri boasts a tradition deeply rooted in old cellars carved into the tuff rock beneath the historic center. The ciambelline al vino — the famous local cookies — complete the picture as the town's signature dessert.

Guided tastings and talks

The heart of the event consists of tastings led by sommeliers and experts in local products, hosted at the Tinello Borghese, a historic hall overlooking the village landscape. Each session pairs the cicerchia with a different product: local wine on the first day, extra virgin olive oil on the second. Spots are limited, and booking is generally required. Alongside the tastings, there are conferences and educational sessions on local products, their history, and the agricultural supply chains that keep them alive.

Workshops for children and families

A significant part of the program is designed for children, with free, pre-booked workshops that rotate each year around a traditional craft: kneading ciambelline al vino following the local recipe, or treading grapes with their feet to understand how a bunch turns into must. Past editions have featured treasure hunts in the historic center and visits to the Museo Contadino, which preserves the tools and memories of Monte Compatri's farming families.

Food stalls and live music

Along the Passeggiata on Viale Busnago, the food stall remains open for lunch and dinner, serving traditional local dishes. In the evening, the program shifts to live music: swing, blues rock, cover bands, and dance parties have accompanied the first editions, with free outdoor concerts lasting late into the night.

A village worth the trip

Monte Compatri is one of the most characteristic villages of the Castelli Romani, perched on the slopes of Monte Salomone just over twenty kilometers from Rome, within the Castelli Romani Regional Park. The medieval historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the viewpoint overlooking the Roman countryside provide a natural backdrop for the event. Those who arrive for the festival will find much more than just a food fair: a town that, between one tasting and the next, can be explored on foot in just a few hours.

When and how to participate

The event typically takes place in September, over a Saturday and Sunday, at the end of the rich "Estate Monticiana" summer calendar. Entry to the festival area is free; only food and drinks at the stalls are paid, while guided tastings and workshops require booking due to limited space.