Polenta Festival

A polenta feast to welcome Christmas

In Rocca Sinibalda, a small village perched on the hills of the Rieti province, it is a tradition to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Polenta Festival. The event takes place in the heart of winter, when the cold truly settles over the Turano Valley, and marks the symbolic start of the Christmas season: the square fills up, the cauldrons steam, and the village—home to only a few hundred residents—sees its population swell with visitors arriving from Rieti, the Sabina region, and Rome.

The dish and its recipe

The polenta in Rocca Sinibalda is no mere substitute: it is prepared according to the original recipe, with cornmeal slow-cooked in large cauldrons set up in the square. The topping is the classic, robust sauce of the Rieti peasant tradition, made with pork ribs and sausages cooked slowly, served over the polenta with a generous dusting of cheese. It is served strictly on wooden plates, a detail that the Pro Loco volunteers defend as an integral part of the ritual: it is how polenta was eaten in the village homes of the past.

• Polenta prepared in the square in traditional cauldrons
• Pork rib and sausage sauce
• Served on wooden plates
• Distribution starts in the early afternoon

Christmas markets and local crafts

The day is about more than just tasting. From the morning, the Christmas markets open along the streets of the historic center, featuring stalls with crafts and goods from local producers: woodwork, textiles, Christmas decorations, honey, cheeses, and preserves from the Sabina area. It is an opportunity for many families to get a head start on their holiday shopping while supporting small local businesses.

The castle overlooking the village

The true symbol of Rocca Sinibalda is its castle, a national monument whose original core dates back to 1084. During the 1530s, it was rebuilt as a fortress by the architect Baldassarre Peruzzi at the behest of Cardinal Alessandro Cesarini, taking on that unique shape that blends the military might of a bastion with the luxury of a noble palace. During the festival, the manor and the historic center are the focus of guided tours, allowing visitors to combine the culinary experience with a discovery of the village's heritage.

Music and atmosphere

The polenta feast is accompanied by live music, with bands performing popular repertoires and danceable tunes in the main square. The atmosphere is typical of village festivals in the central Apennines: no staged scenery, just plenty of conviviality, shared tables, and families lingering until sunset, when the Christmas lights illuminate the walls.

Rocca Sinibalda and its festivals

The Polenta Festival is one of two gastronomic events that mark the autumn and winter in the village, alongside the Frascarelli Festival held during the chestnut season. Together, they tell the story of a peasant cuisine based on flour, pork, and forest products, now reclaimed as the village's identity. For those visiting the province of Rieti and the inner Lazio region, December 8th in Rocca Sinibalda is one of the most authentic ways to enter the holiday spirit, far from the crowds of the large urban markets.

How to enjoy the day

We recommend arriving in the morning, spending the first few hours browsing the markets and visiting the castle, and heading to the square in time for the polenta distribution. The village is small and can be explored on foot in a few minutes: the festival is best experienced by wandering between the square, the alleys, and the viewpoints overlooking the valley.