The Befana Castle

A medieval castle turned into the home of the Befana

During the two days of Epiphany, the Castello dei Conti d'Aquino in Piedimonte San Germano — the fortress overlooking the historic center of Piedimonte Alta — opens its courtyards and walkways to the children of the Ciociaria region. The Befana Castle is the event that concludes the festive calendar of the Municipality of Piedimonte San Germano, in the province of Frosinone, southern Lazio, drawing families every year from across the Liri Valley and the Cassino area.

Tradition, entertainment, and engagement

The successful formula combines three key elements: "tradition, entertainment, and engagement." On one hand, there is the figure of the Befana, who in Italian folklore concludes the winter holiday cycle by bringing gifts to children on the night between January 5th and 6th; on the other, live entertainment designed for preschool and school-aged children; and finally, the involvement of the village, which shifts its focus for two days from the lower town to the medieval core on the hill.

What to see at the castle

• Magic shows and illusionism in the castle halls and courtyard
• Giant soap bubbles, one of the most photographed moments of the event
• Balloon art and live balloon sculpting
• Dancing chimney sweeps, featuring songs, nursery rhymes, and choreography inspired by the 19th-century imagery of the Befana and fireplaces
• The "Gusto e Identità" food and wine trail, dedicated to local regional products

The context: Christmas in Piedimonte San Germano

The event is not an isolated occurrence: it is the final act of a program that the Municipality builds every year starting on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, with the opening of Santa's Village and his Elves and the lighting of the decorations in Piazza Municipio. The program then travels through all the local hamlets — Ruscito, Volla, and Piedimonte Alta — with concerts, markets, book presentations, and entertainment, concluding on January 6th at the castle. On January 4th, the eve of the two-day event, the traditional Ferraiolo puppet show takes place in Piazza Municipio.

The Castello dei Conti d'Aquino

The castle hosting the event is the iconic monument of Piedimonte San Germano. Linked to the Conti d'Aquino family, the same family to which Saint Thomas Aquinas belonged, it was heavily damaged by the bombings of the Battle of Cassino in 1944 and is now considered by the community a symbol of memory and peace. The restoration of the structure has turned it into a natural stage for city events, from the Castrum Pedemontis medieval re-enactment in summer to this winter appointment dedicated to children.

Why it's worth the trip

Visitors from outside the region will find an authentic, non-touristy version of the Italian Epiphany here: no large commercial sets, but a village festival built by the local administration and associations, set in a highly evocative architectural frame with views over the Liri Valley. For families visiting the Abbey of Montecassino or the Cassino area during the Christmas holidays, it is a natural stop on January 5th and 6th.