Ombre Festival (Tuscania leg)
Journalism, justice, and culture beneath the Torre di Lavello
About Ombre Festival Tuscania
A festival that sheds light on the shadows
Founded in Viterbo in 2020, Ombre Festival has quickly become one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Lazio region: a space for public discourse spanning journalism, justice, politics, and contemporary reality. Its name is a manifesto: to bring the light of debate into the 'shadowy' corners of society, from organized crime to disinformation, and from legality to human rights. The artistic direction is led by Alessandro Maurizi, founder of the festival and president of the Ombre Association.
The Tuscania leg
Since 2025, the festival has expanded beyond the provincial capital to reach Tuscania, an Etruscan and medieval jewel in the province of Viterbo. For the second year running, the Municipality of Tuscania hosts a dedicated section of the festival: the stage is set at Largo Torre di Lavello, at the foot of the 14th-century tower overlooking the park that dominates the Marta valley—one of the most scenic backdrops in the entire Tuscia region. Here, on summer evenings, the stage hosts encounters with journalists, magistrates, writers, and key figures in Italian public life, alongside performances of civic theater.
The 2026 edition: 800 years with Saint Francis
The seventh edition, scheduled from July 5 to August 1, 2026, across Viterbo and Tuscania, features over ninety events and is inspired by the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi: peace, dialogue, the environment, and a focus on the marginalized are the guiding themes of a special section of the program. In Tuscania, the festival runs from July 18 to 26, opening with a theatrical performance dedicated to the memory of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.
The guests
Over the years, Ombre Festival has brought major names in media and institutions to the Tuscia region. The 2026 lineup includes Bruno Vespa, Mario Giordano, Serena Bortone, Alessandro Di Battista, Pietro Grasso, Luca Palamara, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Federica Angeli, Massimo Polidoro, and Giuseppe Cruciani, with the closing event entrusted to prosecutor Nicola Gratteri. It is a rare opportunity for a town of just over eight thousand inhabitants to engage closely with the protagonists of the national debate.
Why attend
- Free meetings with prominent journalists and institutional figures
- The unique setting of Largo Torre di Lavello, amidst Etruscan and medieval history
- Civic theater and debates on legality, memory, and current affairs
- The atmosphere of summer evenings in the historic center of Tuscania
Supported by the Lazio Region and local administrations, Ombre Festival is part of the Tuscia region's bid for European Capital of Culture and confirms Tuscania as a premier cultural stage in northern Lazio.
Ombre Festival Tuscania — edition 2026
The seventh edition of Ombre Festival takes place from July 5 to August 1, 2026, between Viterbo and Tuscania, featuring over ninety events dedicated to journalism, justice, politics, and society. The theme of the year celebrates the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, with a special section on peace, dialogue, the environment, and fraternity.
The Tuscania leg, from July 18 to 26, opens on Saturday, July 18, at 9:15 PM at Largo Torre di Lavello with Gli Invisibili - La solitudine dei giusti, an intense one-act civic theater piece directed by Enzo Rapisarda and dedicated to the memory of Giovanni Falcone, Paolo Borsellino, and all victims of organized crime, with opening remarks by Mayor Fabio Bartolacci.
The overall festival lineup features guests such as Bruno Vespa, Mario Giordano, Serena Bortone, Alessandro Di Battista, Pietro Grasso, Luca Palamara, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Federica Angeli, Massimo Polidoro, and Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy; the opening on July 5 in Viterbo features Giuseppe Cruciani, while the closing on August 1 features Nicola Gratteri. All events are free.
Programme Ombre Festival Tuscania 2026
Tuscania leg, July 18-26, 2026 - Largo Torre di Lavello
- Saturday, July 18, 9:15 PM - Opening with Gli Invisibili - La solitudine dei giusti, a civic theater performance directed by Enzo Rapisarda dedicated to Giovanni Falcone, Paolo Borsellino, and the victims of the mafia; presented by Lia Saraca, with remarks by Mayor Fabio Bartolacci.
- July 19-26 - Evening meetings with guests from journalism, justice, and institutions as part of the seventh edition's program (full schedule at ombrefestival.com).
The 2026 edition as a whole (July 5 - August 1, Viterbo and Tuscania) includes over ninety appointments with guests such as Bruno Vespa, Mario Giordano, Serena Bortone, Alessandro Di Battista, Pietro Grasso, Luca Palamara, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Federica Angeli, Massimo Polidoro, and Giuseppe Cruciani; grand finale on August 1 in Viterbo with Nicola Gratteri.
Highlights Ombre Festival Tuscania 2026
- Seventh edition: over 90 events between Viterbo and Tuscania
- 2026 Theme: 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Opening in Tuscania on July 18 with the play 'Gli Invisibili' dedicated to Falcone and Borsellino
- National guests: Vespa, Giordano, Bortone, Grasso, Gratteri, and many others
- All events are free to attend
Prices Ombre Festival Tuscania 2026
Practical information — Ombre Festival Tuscania
Getting there
Tuscania can be reached by car from Viterbo (SP Vetrallese, approx. 25 km) or from the Tyrrhenian coast via Tarquinia; from the A1 motorway, take the Orte exit, then the expressway to Viterbo. The nearest train stations are Viterbo and Tarquinia, which are connected to Tuscania by Cotral buses. Largo Torre di Lavello is a short walk from the historic center, with parking available nearby.
Admission
All Ombre Festival events are free to attend, subject to availability. The meetings take place in the evening, generally starting at 9:15 PM.
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Where does it take place — Ombre Festival Tuscania
Largo Torre di Lavello
Largo Torre di Lavello, 01017 Tuscania