Valentano Roots and Wellness: A Leap into the Middle Ages
Medieval re-enactment and Tuscia tastings at the Rocca Farnese in Valentano
About Roots and Wellness Valentano
A leap into the Middle Ages in the Farnese Tuscia
Valentano Roots and Wellness: A Leap into the Middle Ages is the event that transforms Valentano—a village in Upper Lazio near Viterbo, known as the "terrace between lake and sea"—into a grand open-air stage on Saturday, June 6th, and Sunday, June 7th, 2026. From 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM, the historic centre, the Castle Gardens, and the Rocca Farnese will be filled with ladies and knights, flag-wavers, falconers, and jugglers, while visitors can sample the wines and typical products of Tuscia in the museum's halls and the Cortile dell'Amore (Courtyard of Love). The title perfectly captures the event's spirit: the "roots" of Farnese history and folk traditions, and the "wellness" of healthy dining and an area to be experienced in the open air.
The Rocca Farnese and the Courtyard of Love
The heart of the event is the Rocca Farnese, a historic residence overlooking the village that houses the Museum of Prehistory of Tuscia and the Rocca Farnese, one of the most important cultural institutions in the Viterbo area. The evocative Courtyard of Love, an elegant Renaissance space within the fortress, hosts tasting stands and meetings, offering visitors the chance to discover both a monument symbolic of the Farnese family and the museum's archaeological collections.
Historical re-enactment: pageants, falconry, and ancient games
The re-enactment programme is rich and engaging: the historical pageant starts from Piazza Diaz and parades through the centre with groups from Valentano and Canino, accompanied by the flag-wavers and musicians of Santa Rosa from Viterbo. In Piazza Cavour, both adults and children can challenge each other to ancient games, while the Scarladia Arenas host falconry displays with birds of prey in flight, ancient fencing demonstrations, and acrobatics. The Compagnia il Diamante will perform a roving juggling and masked street theatre show, and on Sunday evening, fire takes centre stage with a medieval show of flames and juggling.
Roots and Wellness: the taste of Tuscia
The food and wine soul of the event is curated by Carlo Zucchetti, the "Gastronome with the Hat": at the museum, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, over thirty local wineries will offer tastings of Tuscia wines—from Grechetto to Procanico and the Est! Est!! Est!!! of Montefiascone—alongside local cheeses, oils, and specialties. The highlight is the show cooking by Michelin-starred chef Roy Caceres, from the Orma restaurant in Rome, joined by nutritionist biologist Benedetta Pagliaccia: a dialogue between haute cuisine and conscious eating that gives full meaning to the combination of roots and wellness.
Valentano and its surroundings
Promoted in partnership with the Municipality of Valentano, the event is also an invitation to discover an authentic corner of Lazio: the village overlooks the caldera of Lake Bolsena and guards Lake Mezzano, a small volcanic body of water of great naturalistic value. Valentano is a land of deep-rooted traditions, such as the "Tiratura del Solco Dritto" in August, and genuine hospitality made of historic shops and rustic cuisine. A weekend between the Middle Ages and local flavours is the ideal way to get to know this part of the Viterbo Tuscia, halfway between Lake Bolsena and the Maremma Laziale.
Roots and Wellness Valentano — edition 2026
Two days between the Middle Ages and the flavours of Tuscia
On June 6th and 7th, 2026, Valentano spent an entire weekend in medieval attire. On Saturday, the event opened in Piazza della Vittoria with ancient games in Piazza Cavour and the historical re-enactment pageant starting from Piazza Diaz, animated by historical groups from Valentano and Canino and the flag-wavers and musicians of Santa Rosa from Viterbo. On Sunday, the Scarladia Arenas took the stage with falconry, ancient fencing, and acrobatics, culminating in an evening fire show.
At the museum, in the Courtyard of Love of the Rocca Farnese, over thirty Tuscia wineries offered tastings of Grechetto, Procanico, and Est! Est!! Est!!! along with local products. On Sunday at 6:00 PM, chef Roy Caceres, Michelin star of the Orma restaurant in Rome, hosted a show cooking session in dialogue with nutritionist biologist Benedetta Pagliaccia, dedicated to the link between signature cuisine and wellness. Free admission, with a €5 deposit for the tasting glass.
Programme Roots and Wellness Valentano 2026
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
- 3:30 PM — Opening of the event in Piazza della Vittoria and start of activities in the historic centre.
- Piazza Cavour — Ancient games challenges, open to adults and children.
- Historical re-enactment pageant — Departure from Piazza Diaz and parade through the historic centre with groups from Valentano and Canino and the flag-wavers and musicians of Santa Rosa from Viterbo.
- 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM — Wine and local product tastings from Tuscia at the Museum of Prehistory of Tuscia and the Rocca Farnese.
- 6:15 PM — Guided tasting led by gastronome Carlo Zucchetti.
- 8:00 PM — Roving juggling and masked street theatre show with the Compagnia il Diamante, at the Castle Gardens.
Sunday, June 7th, 2026
- 3:30 PM — Opening of the Scarladia Arenas and resumption of ancient games challenges.
- Falconry display — Birds of prey in flight in the arenas.
- Ancient fencing and acrobatics — Historical combat demonstrations.
- Masked street theatre — Roving juggling through the village streets.
- 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM — Tastings with over thirty Tuscia wineries: Grechetto, Procanico, Est! Est!! Est!!! of Montefiascone, and other local wines.
- 6:00 PM — Show cooking by Michelin-starred chef Roy Caceres (Orma restaurant, Rome) with nutritionist biologist Benedetta Pagliaccia.
- In the evening — Medieval fire show with juggling and flames.
Highlights Roots and Wellness Valentano 2026
- Historical pageant with groups from Valentano and Canino and the flag-wavers and musicians of Santa Rosa from Viterbo.
- Over thirty Tuscia wineries offering tastings in the Courtyard of Love of the Rocca Farnese.
- Show cooking by Michelin-starred chef Roy Caceres with nutritionist Benedetta Pagliaccia.
- Falconry, ancient fencing, medieval games, and evening fire show.
- Free admission with a €5 deposit for the tasting glass.
Prices Roots and Wellness Valentano 2026
Practical information — Roots and Wellness Valentano
How to get there
Valentano is located in the province of Viterbo, along the regional road 312 Castrense, about 30 km from Viterbo and 20 km from Bolsena. By car: from the A1 motorway, take the Orvieto exit, then follow signs for Lake Bolsena and Valentano. The most convenient train stations are Viterbo and Montefiascone (Rome-Viterbo line), with onward travel by Cotral bus or car.
Opening hours and admission
Saturday, June 6th, and Sunday, June 7th, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Free admission; a €5 deposit is required for the tasting glass.
Contact
Info and bookings: tel. +39 375 8514962 — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Roots and Wellness Valentano
Museo della Preistoria della Tuscia e della Rocca Farnese
Piazza della Vittoria, 01018 Valentano