San Sebastiano in Festa

A district festival in the heart of Orte

San Sebastiano in Festa is the event that every spring—usually on the last weekend of May—transforms the San Sebastiano district of Orte, in the province of Viterbo, into a journey of flavors, art, and history. The event is organized by the Contrada San Sebastiano, which has spent years building a festival that captures the identity of this village in northern Lazio, overlooking the Tiber Valley on the border with Umbria.

The 'carciofo dolce ortano', the absolute star

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the carciofo dolce ortano, a curious specialty that, despite its name, is not a vegetable but a rich and delicious traditional pastry shaped like an artichoke, deeply rooted in the popular culture of Orte. During the event, a competition between local women is held to prepare this specialty: a challenge that is both a contest and a way to pass down domestic knowledge from generation to generation. The artichoke—the real one, grown in the Orte countryside—is also a signature product of the area, celebrated on several occasions throughout the year.

The Taverna della Civetta

The iconic venue for the event is the Taverna della Civetta, housed in an 18th-century building in the historic center. Restored by the district residents, it was once used as a stable and animal shelter. Here, visitors can rediscover ancient recipes of Orte cuisine, served in an environment that preserves its vaulted ceilings, stone walls, and old-world atmosphere. The walls also feature a photo exhibition tracing the history of the district, with images collected over decades of activity.

The route: Piazza del Poggio, Arco de' Pajacci, and Underground Orte

The festival unfolds as an open-air itinerary within the village. The starting point is Piazzetta del Poggio, where an arts and crafts market is set up with local artisans. From there, the route continues toward the tavern, passing under the Arco de' Pajacci, which hosts a gallery of works by local painters for the occasion. Guided tours of Underground Orte are also highly appreciated; this network of tunnels, cisterns, wells, and fountains carved into the tuff rock testifies to the city's ancient pre-Roman water system. In these underground spaces, local farms present their typical products.

Music, costumes, and entertainment

The gastronomic evenings are accompanied by medieval costume parades with musicians and flag-wavers, recalling the tradition of the local historical re-enactment—Orte is a city of the 'Ottava Medievale', one of the most well-known historical events in the Tuscia region. In recent editions, the program has also included live concerts and light music evenings in the district's open spaces, as well as food stands and entertainment for families.

Why visit

• Authenticity: It is a true district festival, created by residents for their neighborhood, not an event manufactured for tourism.
• Signature Gastronomy: Dishes from the humble Orte cuisine and the 'carciofo dolce', which are hard to find elsewhere.
• Heritage: The most convenient opportunity to visit the Underground Orte and the alleys of the historic village.
• Location: Orte is one of the most accessible rail and motorway hubs in Lazio, making it ideal for a day trip from Rome, Viterbo, or Terni.

Orte and the Tuscia region

Perched on a tuff spur overlooking the Tiber, Orte has historically been a crossroads between Lazio and Umbria, known since the Etruscan era for its sulfur springs. Its compact and well-preserved historic center is the natural stage for an event like San Sebastiano in Festa, which combines food, craftsmanship, and collective memory in a format now well-established in the calendar of festivals in the province of Viterbo, in Lazio.