NepiEstate

A summer festival in the heart of Tuscia

NepiEstate is the event that, for seven editions, has brought summer to life in the town of Nepi, in the province of Viterbo, northern Lazio. The heart of the festival is the courtyard of the Forte dei Borgia—the 16th-century fortress overlooking the village—which is transformed for the occasion into an open-air arena dedicated to culture, entertainment, and community. Some events spill out beyond the fortress walls into the historic centre, with its tuff stone streets, fountains, and aqueduct that tell centuries of history.

A deliberately multidisciplinary programme

The organisers have chosen not to specialise: the calendar alternates between prose and civil theatre, folk music, classical and baroque concerts, dance, book presentations, cultural meetings, and shows designed for families. This formula allows for the engagement of diverse audiences, from children to fans of singer-songwriters, making NepiEstate a true cultural hub for the entire community of Nepi and the surrounding towns of Tuscia.

• Nepi Folk al Forte: a series dedicated to traditional music, with four evenings featuring leading groups and voices from the Italian folk scene.
• Teatro alla Rocca: performances by local and guest companies, often set in the evocative spaces of the fortress.
• Concerti d'autore: the highlight of each edition, featuring well-known names in popular and singer-songwriter music.
• Children and family shows: afternoon or evening events designed for younger audiences.
• Tutto in una notte: the great festival spread throughout the historic centre, featuring music, entertainment, and local gastronomy.

The Forte dei Borgia, a stone stage

The fortress was commissioned by the Borgia family—who tied their name inextricably to Nepi, with Lucrezia Borgia serving as Lady of the city at the beginning of the 16th century—and remains the symbol of the village today. Attending a concert in its courtyard, with the illuminated walls behind you and the summer evening settling over the Faliscan countryside, is an experience as worthwhile as the programme itself. The same venue hosts the famous Palio dei Borgia in June, the historical re-enactment that precedes and in some ways opens the Nepi summer season.

A bridge towards the Agosto Nepesino

NepiEstate is not an isolated event but a journey: it begins in late June, spans all of July with the densest part of the programme, and continues into August, leading the city towards the Agosto Nepesino and the patronal festivities. It is a testament to how a town of a few thousand inhabitants can, thanks to the joint work of the municipal administration and the Pro Loco volunteers, build a continuous and high-quality programme.

Nepi and the surrounding Tuscia

Those who choose NepiEstate have the opportunity to discover one of the most characteristic villages in the province of Viterbo: the thermal and mineral waters that made Nepi famous, the imposing aqueduct, the cathedral, and the surrounding Faliscan necropolises. Within a few kilometres, you can find Civita Castellana, Sutri with its rock-hewn amphitheatre, Lake Bracciano, and the Renaissance palaces of Caprarola: a perfect itinerary to combine with a few evenings at the Forte.

How to participate

A good portion of the events are free of charge; for theatrical performances and major concerts, there is an affordable ticket, with discounts for younger people. The full programme, including times and any changes due to bad weather, is released by the Municipality of Nepi and the local Pro Loco in the weeks leading up to the start of the festival.