Ramiccia Festival and Christmas Markets

A Lucretili Mountains village that lights up for Christmas

Percile is one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Rome: just a few hundred inhabitants perched in the heart of the Lucretili Mountains Regional Natural Park, in the Aniene Valley, just over an hour from the capital. For a weekend in December, this quiet village transforms into the valley's meeting point thanks to the Ramiccia Festival, one of the longest-running winter festivals in the Lazio region, organized by the Pro Loco of Percile in collaboration with the municipal administration.

What is ramiccia?

The ramiccia is Percile's signature dish: a hand-rolled egg fettuccina, cut extremely thin, almost like a tagliolino. There is no industrial version that compares, as its texture depends entirely on the skill of the local women who prepare the dough in the days leading up to the festival. The classic topping is mutton ragù, slow-cooked and savory, typical of the pastoral cuisine of the Lazio Apennines; for those who prefer a lighter flavor, an garlic and oil version is also served.

The festival, between food stalls and braziers

In addition to the ramiccia, the food stalls in the historic center offer local traditional flavors: grilled meat cooked over open-air braziers, platters of cured meats and cheeses, fried pizza, hot chocolate, and mulled wine to ward off the mountain chill. Dining at long, communal tables elbow-to-elbow with the locals is the true hallmark of the festival, even more than the dish itself.

Christmas Markets in the alleys

The festival is accompanied by Christmas Markets, set up along the village's narrow streets and small squares, featuring handicrafts, decorations, local products, and gift ideas. The route is designed for families, with entertainment for children and a visit to Santa's house set up in the village. Recent editions have also included the releasing of lanterns in honor of Saint Lucy, a highly anticipated moment at dusk.

What to see nearby

Visitors to Percile can combine the festival with a walk to the Lagustelli, the small karst lakes that are the area's natural symbol, or explore the trails of the Lucretili Mountains Park. The village, with its stone houses and narrow alleys, can be explored quickly and is particularly charming with its winter illuminations.

A resilient tradition

Reaching its forty-fifth edition in 2025 according to the Pro Loco, the Ramiccia Festival is much more than a culinary event: it is how a tiny community tells its story, keeps a recipe that might otherwise disappear alive, and opens its Christmas doors to visitors. It is the perfect event for those looking for an authentic, unfiltered Italy just a stone's throw from Rome.