Orte in Pizza

An open-air pizzeria in the heart of Tuscia

Orte in Pizza was born in 2024 from a shared vision between three local associations — The Grove, the Pro Loco of Orte, and the Ente Ottava Medievale — with the support of the Municipality of Orte and dozens of volunteers. In just a few editions, it has become one of the most anticipated early-summer events in the Viterbo Tuscia region, attracting visitors from neighboring towns in northern Lazio and southern Umbria.

The formula is simple and successful: not a static food festival in a square, but a roving dinner that uses the village itself as a dining room. Participants collect their route map and walk freely from one stop to the next, pausing in each square to sample a different pizza, always paired with a craft beer specifically chosen to enhance the toppings.

The village of Orte as a stage

Perched on a tuff spur overlooking the Tiber Valley, on the border between Lazio and Umbria, the historic center of Orte boasts Etruscan-Roman roots and a perfectly preserved medieval layout. The dinner route touches some of the most characteristic corners of the town: via della Casaccia, piazza Fratini, vicolo della Suburra, via Principe Umberto, via Mazzini, and piazza della Libertà. Walking between courses thus becomes a way to discover the village's heritage, which hides the famous Orte Sotterranea (Underground Orte) beneath its surface—a network of tunnels, aqueducts, cisterns, dovecotes, and ice wells that can be visited with a guide.

The gastronomic route

The heart of the event is the tasting circuit, which for the 2026 edition features five special pizzas paired with as many selected craft beers, with a final dessert to conclude the journey. The pizzas are prepared by local pizzaiolos and draw on regional recipes: alongside the classic margherita, there are versions featuring mortadella, the 'contadina' (country-style), and the so-called ortana, dedicated to the host town.

• A multi-stop route through the squares of the historic center
• A different pizza for each square, paired with craft beer
• Final dessert included in the circuit
• Booking recommended: spots on the route are limited

Music, shows, and atmosphere

Those not participating in the gastronomic circuit can still enjoy the evening: the entertainment is free and open to everyone. Along the streets, live music, DJ sets, wandering bands, and street performers accompany the public from one stop to the next until late at night. The lighting of the alleys and the natural scenery of the village do the rest, creating one of the most evocative evenings of the Orte summer.

More than just dinner: the cultural moment

Starting with the 2026 edition, the festival has been enriched with a presentation conference hosted at Palazzo Roberteschi, titled "Pizza: History of an Italian Masterpiece. Identity, Culture, and Taste," held by Dr. Giuseppe Bellucci. It is an opportunity to discuss pizza not just as a dish, but as an Italian cultural phenomenon, before moving on to the convivial part of the evening.

Why it's worth the trip

In a Lazio region rich in summer food festivals, Orte in Pizza stands out for its roving format and its intelligent use of the setting: the village is not just a backdrop, it is part of the experience. It is a deeply local festival, built by the volunteers of the Municipality of Orte and its associations, but designed for those arriving from outside who want to discover the Tuscia region in a single evening.