Saint Anthony Abbot Feast and Polenta and Fallone Festival

A winter festival in the heart of the Aniene Valley

Perched at over eight hundred meters above sea level, the town of Jenne — in the province of Rome, Lazio — celebrates the Saint Anthony Abbot Feast every January, honoring the patron saint of animals and the rural world. This event marks the conclusion of the village's long winter calendar, which begins in December with Christmas festivities organized by the Pro Loco, and draws not only residents but also many families of Jenne origin who emigrated to the Agro Pontino after the war: for many, this January return is more than just a trip; it is a quest to reconnect with their roots.

The blessing of the animals

The highlight of the morning is the blessing of the animals in front of the church: a simple, heartfelt ritual that recalls the ancient bond between Saint Anthony Abbot and the farming and pastoral culture of the upper Aniene Valley. Horses, donkeys, dogs, and farm animals parade with their owners, while the streets of the historic center come alive with the repertoire of the «Filiberto Massimi» Band of Jenne, which has accompanied the village's major occasions for generations.

The Polenta and Fallone Festival

The religious and civic celebrations are followed by the gastronomic portion, which has become the most famous aspect over the years: the Polenta and Fallone Festival, held in the gardens of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III. The polenta is prepared according to recipes passed down through generations, using flour ground at the municipal mill, and served steaming hot with pork sausages and ribs. Alongside it is the fallone, a rustic specialty typical of these lands, which gives the festival its name along with the polenta.

• Polenta with sausages and pork ribs
• Fallone, the rustic Jenne specialty
• White or red wine and water
• Ciambellina al vino, the traditional wine biscuit
• Fava beans distributed to everyone, a symbol of good luck and sharing

The «favaro» and traditions linked to the Saint

The distribution of fava beans, known in local tradition as the «favaro», is one of the most characteristic gestures of the day: these beans, cooked and offered for free to those present, have always been considered a sign of good fortune for the coming year. In some editions, the festival has been enriched with cheesemaking demonstrations, featuring the transformation of milk into giuncata and ricotta, followed by tastings, highlighting the territory's pastoral vocation.

Why visit Jenne

Defined as the «pearl of the Aniene Valley», Jenne is an ideal destination for those wanting to discover the inland Lazio region away from mass tourism: the stone historic center, the forests rising toward the Simbruini Mountains, and the proximity to the Benedictine path toward Subiaco provide a natural backdrop for the festival. Participating in the Polenta and Fallone Festival means seeing an entire community — Pro Loco, band, volunteers, parish — working together around a tradition that stands the test of time, on a winter day when the village fills with visitors from across the province of Rome.

Organizers

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco of Jenne, with the patronage and collaboration of the Municipality of Jenne. The association also manages the village's rich Christmas program, recognized by the Lazio Region as a historical event, of which the Saint Anthony Abbot feast represents the grand finale.