Pizza under the Stars

A village evening around the wood-fired oven

Pizza under the Stars is the summer festival organized by the Pro Loco of Poggio Nativo, in the heart of the Rieti Sabina. The concept is simple and has been a success for years: reignite the ancient communal wood-fired oven, knead the dough, bake, and serve pizza right in the square under the summer sky. No staged scenery, just the village with its stone walls, narrow alleys, and its people.

The heart of the event is Piazza del Castello, the most charming spot in the historic center, where the evening traditionally concludes with music and dancing. Along the route through the village streets, you can sample local products, while the food stand set up in the village offers seating, cool evening shade, and musical entertainment.

Where we are: Poggio Nativo and the Sabina

The Municipality of Poggio Nativo is located in the Province of Rieti, in the Lazio region. It sits on a hill overlooking the Farfa Valley, about 57 kilometers from Rome. It is a medieval-style village with a characteristic herringbone pattern of alleys, a 16th-century entrance gate, and a main street leading up to the ancient fortress. Nearby, you can find the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, the 13th-century monastic complex of San Paolo, and the Battifratta cave, a prehistoric site known to archaeologists.

This is the land of Sabina DOP extra virgin olive oil and cherries: the local cuisine is made of humble, well-prepared ingredients, and wood-fired pizza is its most direct and convivial expression. Visitors from outside the region will find a corner of inland Lazio still untouched by mass tourism, located just a short distance from the St. Francis Way.

What to expect

• Pizza baked in the village's wood-fired oven, prepared by Pro Loco volunteers
• Food stand with outdoor seating and evening service
• Tasting of local products while strolling through the historic village streets
• Music and dancing in Piazza del Castello to close the evening
• Atmosphere suitable for families and children, with free entry to the festival area

A growing tradition

The event has already surpassed eight editions: the seventh was held on July 8, 2023, while the eighth edition took place on June 1, 2025. The date is not fixed and may shift between late spring and summer, depending on the calendar decided each year by the Pro Loco in coordination with other local events, such as the Music Festival and various hamlet festivals.

Why it's worth the trip

Sabina festivals are not massive events for thousands of people; they are community celebrations where the people cooking are the same ones serving your table, and the musicians are often locals. Pizza under the Stars is exactly that: a direct way to connect with life in an inland Lazio village, eating well and spending little. For those visiting the Sabina for the day, it is also a great opportunity to stop for the evening after touring olive groves, abbeys, and small historic centers.