Polenta Festival

A winter celebration among the rooftops of Cervara

When December blankets the Simbruini Mountains in white, the small town of Cervara di Roma gathers around a steaming cauldron for its Polenta Festival. It is the most anticipated and mouth-watering event of the Cervara winter: a moment when the village—the highest in Lazio at over a thousand meters—opens its alleys and squares to share a simple, hearty dish that warms both body and soul during the coldest days of the year.

Polenta, the queen of the mountain table

The absolute star is polenta, prepared according to traditional peasant recipes and served piping hot, often accompanied by savory sauces, sausages, and local products. In a mountain town like Cervara, where winters are long and harsh, polenta has been a staple for centuries. The festival celebrates this heritage and flavor, turning a humble dish into a festive occasion of conviviality for residents and visitors alike.

Cervara di Roma, the village of artists

The event is also a perfect excuse to explore one of the most evocative villages in the Province of Rome and the entire Lazio region. Clinging to the rocks of the Simbruini Mountains within the Regional Natural Park, Cervara di Roma is known as the "village of artists." Between the 19th and 20th centuries, painters and sculptors found inspiration here, leaving behind the famous Artists' Staircase carved directly into the living rock. Strolling through the stone houses, taking in the views of the Aniene Valley, and admiring the artworks scattered throughout the historic center makes visiting the festival a well-rounded experience that blends flavors, landscapes, and culture.

A local tradition

The Polenta Festival is part of a dense network of winter celebrations that bring the villages of the upper Aniene Valley to life between December and January, all dedicated to this iconic mountain dish. In Cervara, the festival traditionally falls around the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when the town dresses up to welcome those coming from the plains to rediscover the authentic atmosphere of a mountain Christmas. It is an event designed for families and anyone who loves genuine conviviality, good food, and small towns where tradition is still alive.