Strozzapreti Festival

A festival that tells the story of Gerano

The Strozzapreti Festival is the most anticipated summer event in Gerano, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, nestled in the heart of the Monti Prenestini just a few kilometers from the Aniene Valley. Every year, on the last weekend of July, the village literally moves down to the valley: the festival takes place at the Prato di Santa Anatolia, a wide grassy clearing that opens up in front of the sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint, one of the oldest places of worship in the area. It is a natural open-air space, shaded and cool even on the hottest evenings of the Lazio summer.

Strozzapreti, a dish with a history

The name of the dish tells a story of its own. According to local tradition, strozzapreti were born in the Papal era as "the people's" pasta: simple, made only of water and flour, rolled by hand, suitable for peasant tables rather than those of the clergy. In Gerano, they are served with Pistacchia sauce, a recipe passed down from generation to generation by the local women and which has become the festival's gastronomic signature. Thousands of portions are served at each edition, cooked by the volunteers of the Pro Loco.

What to eat

• Strozzapreti with Pistacchia sauce, the festival's signature dish
• Grilled sheep arrosticini, a legacy of the nearby Abruzzo tradition
• Sandwiches, French fries, and street food
• Typical local products, cheeses, and cured meats from the Monti Prenestini
• Wines from the Terre di PreGio consortium and craft beers

In recent years, the organizers have also introduced a selection of gluten-free dishes, clearly marked at the food stands.

Music, evenings, and families

The festival is about more than just food. Friday evening usually kicks off with "The Story of Our Lands," a guided tasting of wines and local products accompanied by live music; Saturday and Sunday evenings feature bands, tribute acts, and dance groups that keep the meadow lively until late at night. Sunday afternoon is dedicated to the little ones, with inflatable water slides, water games, foam parties, and entertainment: a formula that has made the event particularly suitable for families visiting from Rome and neighboring towns.

A village that thrives on celebrations

Gerano is a town with a strong festive identity. The summer festival is joined by the Flower Festival (Infiorata) of the Madonna del Cuore, considered one of the oldest in Italy, the Sant'Anatolia Fair in early July, and the patronal feast of San Rocco on August 16th. Visiting the village during the festival is a great way to discover the medieval historic center, the castle, and the churches that overlook the valley: a recommended stop for those looking for the less touristy Lazio, the one made of hilltop villages just under an hour from the capital.

Why it's worth the trip

With over forty years of history, the Strozzapreti Festival is one of the longest-running and most popular gastronomic festivals in the province of Rome. Affordable prices, free entry, genuine cuisine, and a natural setting that is a reason in itself to come up here: it is the very definition of a successful village festival.