Rocca di Papa Chestnut Festival

A festival that smells of autumn

When the chestnut groves surrounding Monte Cavo begin to drop their burrs, Rocca di Papa prepares for its most cherished event. The Chestnut Festival was founded in 1979 by the local municipality and community associations. Since then, it has been held annually around the third Sunday of October, transforming the Castelli Romani village into a vibrant market of flavors and sounds for three days. It is one of the longest-running and most popular festivals in the Province of Rome and the entire Lazio region, attracting thousands of visitors from the capital and neighboring towns.

The 'rocchicianella' chestnut

The absolute star is the local chestnut, affectionately called rocchicianella by the locals: small, sweet, and flavorful, it is harvested from over two thousand hectares of woodland covering the slopes of the local volcano. During the festival, embers glow in every corner of the town, and the scent of roasted chestnuts follows those strolling through the center. Alongside roasted chestnuts, you will find many other traditional rustic delicacies:

• Roasted chestnuts prepared on the spot in perforated pans
• Chestnut desserts, castagnaccio, cakes, and artisanal biscuits
• Jams, creams, and honey from local Castelli producers
• Soups and hot dishes from traditional Roman cuisine
• Colli Albani wines from local wineries

More than just gastronomy

The festival is also a major entertainment event. The main squares, starting with Piazza della Repubblica, host free concerts that have featured renowned artists alongside local bands and singers over the years. The historical costume pageant, complete with flag-throwers and musical groups, parades through the historic center to commemorate the village's medieval past, while street performers, roving shows, and rides for children bring the side streets to life. The grand finale is traditionally marked by fireworks launched from the medieval fortress, illuminating the town and visible from across the entire Castelli basin.

A village to discover

Rocca di Papa is the highest town in the Castelli Romani and one of the most picturesque: the Bavarese district, with its steep alleys and clustered houses, climbs up to the ruins of the fortress that gives the town its name. All around lies the Castelli Romani Regional Park, with the trails of Monte Cavo, Lake Nemi, and Lake Albano just a few kilometers away. Visiting the festival is therefore the perfect excuse for a day in the open air, enjoying walks through the chestnut groves and panoramic views that stretch all the way to the sea.

A community tradition

Above all, the Chestnut Festival is a community celebration in the most authentic sense: the associations, merchants, and volunteers of the Municipality of Rocca di Papa work for weeks on the preparations, and the participation of the locals is what sets this event apart from manufactured festivals. For those arriving from Rome, just over thirty kilometers away, it is one of the best ways to experience what autumn in Lazio is all about.