Riviviamo il Centro Storico

A village turned into a stage

For five evenings during the week of Ferragosto, the historic center of Toffia transforms into a massive open-air theater. Riviviamo il Centro Storico is the festival that, for over twenty-five years, has brought actors, musicians, poets, jesters, acrobats, dancers, stilt walkers, and painters to the medieval alleys of this Sabina village, in a series of engaging performances that use the town's stone walls, arches, and squares as a natural backdrop. Given the number of artists involved and the high attendance, it is considered one of the largest events in the entire province of Rieti.

The origins: a successful bet since 1996

The event was born in 1996 with a clear goal: to restore vitality to the ancient heart of Toffia, which was once bustling but had gradually emptied out. The gamble taken by the Pro Loco Toffia, carried forward by the commitment of the town's youth, proved successful: year after year, the historic center began to repopulate, welcoming visitors and even new residents, and the festival became the main tourist attraction in the Sabina area during the Ferragosto week. In 2025, the event celebrated its twenty-fifth edition.

The program: street arts, music, and craftsmanship

The heart of the festival lies in its street performances: every evening, from late afternoon until night, the village fills with juggling, street theater, acrobatics, and concerts taking place in various spots throughout the historic center. Alongside the artists, the event features:

• over twenty artisans displaying their creations along the center's streets;
• activities and entertainment dedicated to children;
• guided tours to discover the village and its monuments;
• exhibitions, conferences, and cultural meetings;
• food stalls with typical Sabina products, a land famous for its extra virgin olive oil.

Over the years, prominent groups and companies from the Italian scene have performed: in 2023, Radici nel Cemento and I Trillanti visited Toffia, while the 2025 edition featured Area 765 and Carrobestiame, alongside nightly street performances and juggling.

Ferragosto in Sabina, between tradition and community

Riviviamo il Centro Storico belongs to the great Italian tradition of Ferragosto village festivals, but stands out for its artistic soul: here, the local food fair meets the street arts festival, and the entire community participates in the organization. It is an ideal opportunity to discover the most authentic Sabina, less than an hour from Rome, when the hilly villages of Lazio are at their best with cool evenings, music, and conviviality.

Toffia, a jewel of the Sabina

Toffia is a small and charming medieval village in the province of Rieti, Lazio, perched on a rocky spur among the hills of the Sabina Tiberina. The Municipality of Toffia supports the event, which represents the most intense moment of the town's life: walking through Porta Maggiore, the stone houses, and the noble palaces, one understands why the historic center is the perfect setting for a festival dedicated to street arts. The Lazio Region highlights it as one of the top events of the Sabina summer.