Patrizio Bruziches Agricultural and Craft Fair

The fair of the rural world of Tuscia

The "Patrizio Bruziches" Agricultural and Craft Fair is one of the most anticipated and well-attended events on the calendar in Caprarola, in the province of Viterbo, Lazio. Every year at the end of May, the Paradisa area transforms for three days into a grand showcase of agriculture, craftsmanship, and the traditions of the Cimini Mountains. Founded in the late nineties by local merchants, the fair has grown into a landmark event for the entire Tuscia region, successfully uniting the agricultural and commercial sectors to promote the local area.

Agriculture, hazelnuts, and local products

The heart of the event remains the exhibition market: exhibitors of agricultural machinery and equipment, local producers, and artisans bring the Paradisa area to life, while a central role is played by the Cimini Mountains hazelnut, the protagonist of Caprarola's rural economy. Organizations such as the Cooperativa Produttori Nocciole (CPN) and Assofrutti participate in the fair, offering technical assistance and promoting the hazelnut sector, a cornerstone of local agriculture.

The Tozzetto Competition and live cooking

The most anticipated moment is the Tozzetto Competition, dedicated to the biscuit that symbolizes Caprarola's confectionery tradition. Amateur pastry chefs and enthusiasts compete before a jury, while the cooking show is hosted by chef Andrea Lo Cicero, the "Barone," a former rugby player who has become a television face of Italian cuisine. There is no shortage of tastings of local products, from porchetta to cheeses, and sweets based on hazelnuts.

Music, rallies, and shows

Alongside the gastronomic aspect, the fair offers a rich entertainment program: marching bands, street performances, concerts by local bands, street band exhibitions, and activities designed for children. Sunday is traditionally dedicated to the vintage car, motorcycle, and scooter rally, with a gathering at Paradisa, a parade through the town streets, and an awards ceremony.

Caprarola, between Palazzo Farnese and the Cimini Mountains

Visiting the fair is also an opportunity to discover Caprarola, a village world-famous for the monumental Palazzo Farnese, a Renaissance masterpiece with an unmistakable pentagonal plan. Nestled in the Cimini Mountains, a few kilometers from Lake Vico, the town offers fair visitors a setting of great landscape and cultural charm, among chestnut forests, hazelnut groves, and historical landmarks.

A tradition dedicated to Patrizio Bruziches

The event is named in memory of Patrizio Bruziches and is organized by the committee of the same name, chaired by Paola Bruziches, in collaboration with the Municipality of Caprarola. More than just a fair, it is a community moment that strengthens the bond between citizens, families, exhibitors, and enthusiasts, celebrating the shared memory and work of the rural world of Tuscia.