Snail Festival

A festival that has become the village's identity

In the municipality of Graffignano, a small village in the Province of Viterbo overlooking the Tiber Valley in northern Lazio, the Snail Festival is much more than just a summer gastronomic event. It is the moment when the entire village comes together: kitchens run at full speed, the main square fills with tables, and the historic streets come alive until late at night. The event, which reached its twenty-eighth edition in 2025, is organized by the I Lumacari Association, a group of volunteers who have been managing every detail for nearly thirty years.

The snail, the Ferragosto dish of Alta Tuscia

In this part of Tuscia, the snail is an ancient and deeply popular ingredient, rooted in peasant culture and recipes passed down through generations. In Graffignano, it is served in various preparations, each with its own story:

• Snails with gnocchi, the festival's signature dish
• Stewed snails, slow-cooked with tomato and herbs
• Country-style snails, the most rustic version
• Roman-style snails, savory and spiced
• Fried snails, crispy and served as an appetizer

Alongside the main attraction, the menu features the great classics of Viterbo cuisine: lombrichelli with aglione sauce, grilled meats, traditional desserts, and local wines, ranging from the whites of Lake Bolsena to the reds of the hinterland.

A Lume di Lumaca: the night of ten thousand flames

The most anticipated moment of the event is the evening of August 16th, when the village and the Castello Baglioni are lit by over ten thousand tiny flames. The initiative, curated by the Le Filo Sofìe association, revives a local tradition: using snail shells as oil lamps, placed on a bed of ash and set on windowsills. The result is a suspended, almost surreal atmosphere that accompanies dinner by candlelight throughout the historic center.

Evenings of music and celebration

Every night, after the food stands open, the square turns into a dance floor: ballroom orchestras, live bands, and dance parties keep the crowd entertained until late. The formula is the tried-and-tested one of Lazio's village festivals: eating together, drinking well, dancing, and chatting between tables. There is no entrance fee: you only pay for what you consume, with affordable prices.

What to see in Graffignano

Those arriving for the festival can take the opportunity to explore the village. The Castello Baglioni, which dominates the town, is its most recognizable landmark, while the hamlet of Sipicciano also preserves a charming medieval layout. All around lies the countryside of Alta Tuscia, with its olive groves and vineyards, just a short distance from Bagnoregio, Bomarzo, and Lake Bolsena: an itinerary worth the trip beyond the table.

A deeply rooted popular event

The Snail Festival is now one of the most well-known summer events in the Province of Viterbo. Its success lies in the quality of the food, the reasonable prices, and above all, the authentically communal character of the event: it is the citizens of Graffignano, gathered in the Lumacari group, who cook, serve at the tables, and welcome visitors. A festival made by the village, for anyone who wants to discover it.