Pezzata and Sheep Arrosticini Festival

The festival that tells the story of shepherd culture

Every year, in the heart of summer, the small town of Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, in the province of Viterbo, dedicates an entire weekend to the dish that best tells its history: the pezzata. The Pezzata and Sheep Arrosticini Festival, organized by the Pro Loco with the support of local associations, is one of the most well-known food and wine events in the Viterbo Tuscia region and celebrated its 26th edition in 2025.

What is pezzata?

Pezzata is a dish of ancient origins, linked to transhumance and the lives of shepherds who lived far from home for long months while following their flocks. It was the «carosini»—young men tasked with sheep shearing—who prepared it: the meat of older sheep was cut into pieces—hence the name—and cooked very slowly in the callaro, a large field cauldron, along with aromatic herbs gathered in the pastures. From a humble, almost daily meal, the pezzata has transformed over time into one of the most delicious and sought-after dishes of the local tradition.

During the festival, the pezzata is served at the table in terracotta bowls, laid over slices of toasted bread and finished with a generous dusting of pecorino. The modern recipe involves long marination and careful skimming, which softens the strong flavor of the mutton without betraying its character.

More than just pezzata: arrosticini and an alternative menu

Alongside the signature dish, the food stand offers sheep arrosticini grilled over charcoal and an alternative menu designed to satisfy everyone: traditional first courses, gnocchi, veal stew, grilled sausage, fried vegetables, and homemade desserts like fritters and wine biscuits. The food stand typically opens at 7:30 PM, with ample parking available for visitors.

A festive program for all ages

The festival is not just about food. In the afternoon, the village comes alive with small rides, inflatables, face painting, and cotton candy for the little ones; in the evening, live concerts take over the square, ranging from tributes to great names of Italian music to the overwhelming rhythms of Salento's pizzica. There is no shortage of flag-waving performances, the traditional midnight bingo, and, to close the party, a fireworks display that lights up the Tuscia sky.

Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, a village to discover

With just a few hundred inhabitants, Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia is one of the smallest municipalities in Lazio, nestled among the woods and ravines of the Etruscan Tuscia, just a stone's throw from Blera and the rock-cut necropolises. The festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the village, its squares, and the surrounding countryside, perhaps taking advantage of guided tours organized in recent editions in collaboration with local cultural associations. A genuine event where the Lazio region shows its most authentic and rural face.