Saracinesco Polenta Festival

A mountain festival an hour from Rome

The Saracinesco Polenta Festival is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the autumn in the Aniene Valley. It is traditionally held on the last Sunday of September in the historic center of Saracinesco, a village of just over 170 inhabitants perched at an altitude of 908 meters in the Lucretili Mountains, in the province of Rome (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital), in the heart of the Lazio region. The 33rd edition, held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, confirmed the appeal of this celebration that brings the quiet, pedestrian-only alleys of one of the region's smallest towns to life every year.

Rustic-style polenta

The absolute star is the polenta prepared according to the local peasant recipe: slow-cooked in large cauldrons and topped with a rich tomato sauce with pork ribs and sausages. For those preferring a vegetarian option, the polenta is also served with Roman broccoli. All ingredients—from the cornmeal to seasonal vegetables, sausages, and cured meats—are sourced from local producers, ensuring authenticity and a short supply chain that highlights the territory.

The wooden bowl, a keepsake to take home

The most distinctive feature of the festival is the dish on which the polenta is served: the scifetta (or scifo), the traditional wooden tray once used in rural homes. Each visitor receives a complete meal—polenta, sausage, bread, wine, and water—served in the scifetta, which they can then take home as a reusable souvenir of the day. A custom that unites generations and has become the very symbol of the festival.

Music and village atmosphere

The distribution of the polenta is accompanied by live music in the square, with classic Italian songs echoing through the village alleys. The atmosphere is that of a genuine country festival: long tables, spectacular views over the valley, and a slow pace that invites you to discover every corner of the historic center.

Saracinesco, the village of the Saracens and the Museum of Time

The festival is also an opportunity to visit a unique village. Saracinesco owes its name to a group of Saracens who, after the Arab raids of the 9th century, settled on the fortress, giving rise to the town: even today, the municipal banner depicts two Moorish heads, and some local surnames retain Arabic roots. The village also hosts the open-air Museum of Time, a path featuring sundials and solar clocks—including Italy's only inclined-plane clock with a spherical gnomon—which makes a stroll through the alleys even more evocative.

Organization

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Saracinesco with the patronage of the Municipality of Saracinesco. On the day of the festival, a free shuttle service is available from the external parking lots to the entrance of the village, as the historic center is pedestrian-only.