Radure – Cultural Spaces along the Southern Via Francigena

A festival walking along the Southern Via Francigena

Radure – Cultural Spaces along the Southern Via Francigena is one of the most original cultural offerings in the Lazio summer. It is not a festival concentrated in a single location: it is a widespread journey that follows the route of the Southern Via Francigena through the villages of the Lepini Mountains, in the provinces of Latina and Rome, transforming archaeological sites, castles, museums, cloisters, and historic squares into open-air stages. The festival is promoted by the Compagnia dei Lepini, chaired by Quirino Briganti, with the support of the Lazio Region and the collaboration of the involved municipalities.

Priverno and Fossanova, the heart of the festival

The Municipality of Priverno has always been one of the main benchmarks for the festival. Here, performances are held in two high-value locations: the Auditorium Infermeria dei Conversi, in the medieval village of Fossanova Abbey — a masterpiece of Cistercian architecture and a national monument — and the Privernum Archaeological Park, the ancient Roman city from which the name of the current town derives. Watching a monologue or a concert among the ruins of Privernum, with the light fading over the Pontine Plain, is an experience that combines live performance and archaeology.

A programme between civic theatre and lightness

Each edition has a title that defines its tone: the eighth edition, in 2026, is titled « Anime in fuga » (Souls in Flight), while the previous one was dedicated to the theme « Meditare Sorridendo » (Meditating with a Smile). The artistic direction alternates auteur theatre, storytelling, literary readings, live music, and intelligent comedy, featuring nationally renowned artists alongside local companies. The performances, almost always in the evening, are designed for a wide audience: you do not need to be a regular theatre-goer to enjoy them.

What makes Radure different

• Free admission to all events, with no ticketing or mandatory reservations.
• A network of municipalities — including Priverno, Segni, Norma, Roccagorga, Cori, and Maenza — that share a single programme.
• The direct link with heritage: every evening is also an opportunity to discover a historic or archaeological site of the Lepini area.
• A long duration, from early July to the first days of August, which allows you to follow multiple stages in one or two-day itineraries.

The Lepini Mountains territory

The Lepini Mountains separate the Pontine Plain from the Sacco Valley and guard some of the most intact villages in southern Lazio. Around Priverno, you can visit Fossanova Abbey, the Archaeological Museum of Priverno, the Medieval Museum, and the trails that climb towards the historic centres of Maenza and Roccagorga. The local cuisine offers simple and recognisable products — extra virgin olive oil, sheep's milk cheeses, the local « bazzoffia » soup, and local bread — which pair well with a festival evening.

Tips for participants

Performances take place outdoors or in non-air-conditioned spaces: it is advisable to arrive a little early, as seating is limited and unnumbered, and to bring a light sweater for evenings at higher altitudes. Many stages can be reached by car in less than half an hour from one another, making it possible to combine a daytime visit to a museum or village with the evening performance.