Spring Festival and Fried Pizza Festival

The Spring Festival and Fried Pizza Festival in Arsoli

In the heart of the Aniene Valley, at the foot of the Simbruini Mountains and bordering Abruzzo, the town of Arsoli welcomes the Spring Festival and Fried Pizza Festival every April 25th. Organized by the Pro Loco of Arsoli, the event is a well-established tradition spanning over thirty years and stands as one of the most anticipated gastronomic appointments of spring in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio.

A dive into ancient rural customs

The festival was born to rediscover and promote the rural roots of the territory, a time when local cuisine transformed humble, genuine ingredients into dishes with authentic flavors. Piazza Valeria becomes a large open-air dining room where recipes passed down through generations are brought back to life, served at affordable prices and prepared according to old-time customs.

Traditional dishes

Lunch, served from 12:30 PM, is the highlight of the day. Specialties on the menu include:

• Sagne: handmade pasta made with wheat flour and eggs, rolled into thick sheets and cut into strips, served with tomato sauce, garlic, and oil;
• Pizzigliu co' ll'erbe: unleavened bread baked in a wood-fired oven and accompanied by sautéed wild chicory;
• Saciccie: local pork sausages cooked over charcoal;
• Fried pizza: served in two versions, the classic savory roscia and the sweet version dusted with sugar, prepared on the spot and served piping hot.

The meal is paired with local wine and craft beer from Palaterra Brew & Farm.

More than just gastronomy

The day offers much more than a food festival. From the morning, the village comes alive with the Ingenuity and Creativity Market, dedicated to local crafts and talent, and free guided tours of the "Museum City," departing from the Museum of Musical Traditions. By reservation, it is also possible to visit Villa Morani, a jewel of the town. Nature lovers can join the In the Footsteps of the Hermit walk, a trek between Arsoli and Riofreddo in memory of Saint Peter the Hermit. In the afternoon, live folk music accompanies the distribution of the fried pizza.

Arsoli, the "Little Paris"

Called "Little Paris" by Luigi Pirandello for its charm, Arsoli preserves a historic center clustered around the Castello Massimo. The Spring Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover this authentic corner of Lazio, where tradition, landscape, and fine food meet in a single day of celebration.