Path of Art and Taste

The Path of Art and Taste in Cantalice

In the heart of summer, the village of Cantalice, perched on the slopes overlooking the Rieti plain in the province of Rieti, becomes the stage for one of the most beloved events in the Lazio calendar. The Path of Art and Taste is a wandering dinner that combines food, wine, street art, and live music, turning the alleys, staircases, and squares of the historic center into an open-air route to be experienced step by step.

A village that becomes a stage

Cantalice is a typical medieval village, a tangle of stone houses that develops vertically along a rocky ridge, crossed by hundreds of steps and dominated by the ancient Torre del Cassero. During the evenings of the Path, this evocative setting lights up with lights, scents, and sounds: every corner of the town hosts a stop on the route, and the public moves freely from one square to another, from one view to another, as if in a single great immersive show.

The route of taste, from square to square

The heart of the event is the route of taste, which winds through the squares of the historic center. It starts from Via del Castello to reach Piazza del Castello and Piazza San Felice da Cantalice, then descends along the characteristic small stairs to Piazza del Ballo. At each stop, food stations and open cellars offer the excellence of the Rieti territory:

• vegetables and stuffed fried pizzas;
• local cured meats and prosciutto;
• cheeses and local pecorino;
• truffles and typical products of the Rieti area;
• wine tasting paired with dishes.

Street art and live music

The Path is not just about taste. Along the entire itinerary, street artists, wandering shows, and evening performances enliven the village: stilt walkers, magicians, and jugglers cross paths with visitors in the alleys, while various musical stations and live concerts accompany the walk until late at night. It is this fusion of good food, culture, and entertainment that makes the event an appointment awaited far beyond the borders of the municipality.

Cantalice, the village of Saint Felice

Cantalice was the birthplace of Saint Felice da Cantalice, the first saint of the Capuchin order, and is today a stop on the pilgrimage routes of the Rieti area, along the Franciscan and Benedictine paths that cross the Holy Valley. The Baroque churches, cloisters, and panoramic views over the plain provide a natural backdrop for the event, which enhances the historical heritage and popular traditions of the town.

An event by the Pro Loco

Organized by the Pro Loco Cantalice with the contribution of the Municipality of Cantalice and the Lazio Region, the Path of Art and Taste reached its 16th edition in 2026, confirming itself as one of the most successful initiatives for promoting the village and the typical products of the Rieti territory, in Lazio.