Sagra della Ciccia Festival

The Montevirginio Meat Festival

The Sagra della Ciccia is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the summer in Montevirginio, a hillside village in the municipality of Canale Monterano, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio. In early August, the charming Piazza Sant'Egidio, the heart of the village at 427 meters above sea level, transforms into a large open-air kitchen where the absolute star is ciccia—grilled meat in its infinite variations.

A Menu to Savor

The food stand, managed by a dedicated group of volunteers, offers hearty and authentic dishes from the Lazio tradition and beyond. Among the specialties that win over visitors every year:

• Mutton gnocchi and fettuccine with white ragù, homemade pasta dishes;
• Spit-roasted suckling pig, Brazilian churrasco, and sheep arrosticini;
• Hunter-style stew and sausages cooked on the grill;
• A selection of freshly grilled meat cuts, mixed bruschetta, salad, and French fries.

Guests dine at long tables in the square, enjoying the convivial atmosphere of an authentic village festival, where the quality of ingredients and the professionalism of the staff make all the difference.

Live Music and Village Atmosphere

Every evening, the festival is enlivened by live music: local bands and groups take turns on stage, brightening the dinner with blues, soul, and folk concerts, with dancing and singing until late at night. The vibe is that of a genuine summer festival, where families, friends, and tourists gather to share good food and cheer under the stars.

Supporting the Palio delle Contrade

The Sagra della Ciccia is more than just a food festival: it is organized by the Contrada Montevirginio to raise the funds necessary to finance the Palio delle Contrade of Canale Monterano and its famous Corsa del Bigonzo, which takes place towards the end of August in honor of the patron saints, San Bartolomeo and Santa Calepodia. In that competition, the six districts of the town compete by carrying the bigonzo—a traditional wooden container once used for the grape harvest—on their shoulders along a 135-meter course, while a procession of over 200 participants in high-medieval costumes parades through the streets. Participating in the festival means concretely supporting one of the most significant local traditions.

A Village to Discover

Montevirginio was founded at the end of the 16th century around a hermitage commissioned by Duke Virginio Orsini, from whom it takes its name. Today, the village retains the charm of a small center nestled in the greenery of the Monti della Tolfa, just a short distance from the stunning Monterano Regional Nature Reserve. The Sagra della Ciccia is the perfect opportunity to combine a great meal with the discovery of an authentic corner of the Roman countryside.