Rocca Priora Pizza Festival

A festival that tells the story of the town through pizza

The Pizza Festival in Rocca Priora, located in the Metropolitan City of Rome, is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the Castelli Romani summer. Evolving from the 'Pizza al Borgo' event, which began a few years ago and has grown rapidly, the festival takes place at the Piazzale Zanardelli Belvedere, a panoramic terrace 768 meters above sea level in the highest municipality in Lazio, overlooking the Roman countryside all the way to the sea.

The format has been completely revamped: the idea is to recount the local identity by translating the town's historic districts into unique special pizzas. From the timeless classic of the San Rocco district to the rustic richness of La Rocca, every specialty is a tribute to the alleys, squares, and stories that make up the urban fabric of Rocca Priora. Visitors from out of town discover the village not just by walking through it, but by tasting it.

The pizza and its creator

Behind the oven is pizzaiolo Domenico De Rosa and his team, working with high-hydration doughs using 'Altograno' flour from the Casillo mill, chosen for its digestibility. 'Our pizzas win people over with their authentic taste and intense aroma,' explains De Rosa, who attributes the result to the quality of the raw materials and long leavening processes. Alongside the pizzas, previous years have also featured pucce (traditional bread) prepared with the same dough.

Music, entertainment, and themed nights

The festival is about more than just food. The entertainment program runs every night, ranging from live concerts to karaoke sessions and DJ sets dedicated to the great revival hits of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The most awaited moment remains the Corrida night, where local amateurs perform in front of the public: a classic of Italian popular festivals that works perfectly here.

• Food stalls open every night with district-themed pizzas
• Live concerts and musical evenings with free entry
• Karaoke and 70s, 80s, and 90s revival DJ sets
• 'Corrida' night featuring local talent
• Panoramic outdoor area suitable for families

August in Rocca Priora, between San Rocco and tradition

The event dates coincide with the town's most heartfelt calendar: on August 16th, Rocca Priora celebrates San Rocco, the patron saint of the village. The week of Ferragosto is traditionally the heart of the local summer, historically marked by the Rocca Priora Bruschetta Festival, which animated the same Belvedere for nearly twenty years. Today, the Pizza Festival carries the torch as the major social event of mid-August.

Why it's worth the trip

Rocca Priora is the highest municipality in the Castelli Romani and offers a significantly cooler climate in summer than the capital: just a half-hour drive from Rome, you can dine outdoors with a view, away from the city heat. The local cuisine is rooted in mountain and forest traditions—ricotta, pork, porcini mushrooms, lamb—and the festival is an excellent opportunity to pair your meal with a glass of local white wine from the Castelli. Entry to the area is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls, with affordable village-festival prices.