Pizzicotti alla Liscianara Festival

A festival born from a simple gesture: pinching the dough

The Pizzicotti alla Liscianara Festival takes place in Lisciano, a small hillside village in the Municipality of Rieti, Lazio, located along the road that winds from Rieti up to Mount Terminillo. The dish that gives the festival its name originates from the peasant traditions of the Valle Santa: leftover bread dough was pinched between the thumb and forefinger to create small, irregular pieces, which were then dropped into boiling water and scooped out as they rose to the surface. Hence the name pizzicotti (pinched pasta), with the adjective alla liscianara proudly claiming the village's heritage.

The signature dish

Pizzicotti are far from elaborate; they are the essence of 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking), based on resourcefulness and local ingredients. Once cooked, they are dressed with tomato sauce, a hint of chili pepper, Sabina olive oil, and a generous dusting of pecorino cheese. In recent years, the dish has been added to the list of traditional agri-food products of Lazio, a recognition that has brought further visibility to the festival and the hard work of the local women who prepare the dough by hand in the days leading up to the event.

How the festival works

For two nights, the historic center of Lisciano is transformed: food stalls occupy the squares and alleys, tables are set up outdoors, and service typically begins in the early evening, around 7:00 PM. Alongside the star dish, you will find other traditional Rieti specialties, from grilled meats to homemade desserts, accompanied by local wines. The format is that of a classic village festival: affordable prices, generous portions, no entry fee, and payment at the counter for individual dishes.

Music and atmosphere

The culinary experience is paired with live music and ballroom dancing in the square. Past editions have featured popular dance orchestras that kept the evenings lively until late. The festival maintains a strong community spirit, managed entirely by the volunteers of the Pro Loco Valle Santa, and attracts visitors every year from across the province of Rieti and neighboring towns.

The Fried Pizza Feast

In several editions, the festival has been complemented by an evening dedicated to fried pizza, traditionally held on the days immediately preceding or following the main event, extending the celebration and broadening the village's gastronomic offerings.

Why visit Lisciano

• A unique dish rarely found in restaurants, prepared by hand according to the local recipe
• An authentic village just minutes from Rieti, at the foot of the Terminillo massif
• A long-standing event, reaching its 25th edition in 2025
• Open-air evenings with live music and traditional village festival prices

The setting: the Valle Santa of Rieti

Lisciano lies in the heart of the Valle Santa, the area surrounding Rieti that owes its name to the four Franciscan sanctuaries linked to the stay of Saint Francis: Greccio, Fonte Colombo, La Foresta, and Poggio Bustone. A visit to the festival is the perfect opportunity to discover a territory that blends spirituality, mountain landscapes, and a peasant culinary tradition that has remained true to its roots. The Lazio Region promotes these events as part of its intangible heritage, and the pizzicotti are a perfect example: a dish born of necessity that has become a symbol of identity.