Vallerano Porcini Mushroom Festival

A festival dedicated to the king of the forest floor

The Vallerano Porcini Mushroom Festival is one of the most delicious gastronomic events of the spring in the Tuscia region. In the heart of the village, the Via Don Minzoni town gardens transform into a grand arena of taste, where porcini mushrooms are served in all their glory according to traditional Lazio recipes. It is no coincidence that the festival was born here: the Cimini Mountains, covered in ancient chestnut groves, provide the ideal habitat for porcini mushrooms, which have long been foraged and cooked by local families.

The Bettala of San Vittore and the Vallerano community

The event is organized by the San Vittore Martire Religious Association, the same group that brings the village's historic patronal feast and the famous "Bettala" (the local popular tavern) to life. Launched in 2024, the festival has grown rapidly: from a single-day event, it expanded in 2026 to two consecutive Sundays, a sign of success that has reached well beyond the borders of the Viterbo province. It is a truly community-driven festival: local volunteers handle the cooking and service, and the proceeds support the association's activities.

The porcini menu

The heart of the festival is the set-menu lunch, available by reservation in the town gardens. Porcini mushrooms are the star from appetizer to main course: starting with the Bettala appetizer, followed by egg tagliolini with porcini mushrooms and pork loin in a creamy mushroom sauce with sautéed porcini cubes, finishing with mixed salad and homemade dry pastries, all accompanied by water and wine. A children's menu is available, featuring pasta with tomato sauce, burgers, and fries. The mandatory reservation system ensures the quality and freshness of every dish.

Chestnut grove walks and guided tours

The festival is about more than just food: the day begins in the morning with a guided 5-kilometer walk through the chestnut groves surrounding the village—the very woods where porcini mushrooms and the renowned Vallerano chestnut grow—and a guided tour of the village's history, through medieval alleys, churches, and scenic viewpoints. The program is rounded out by a craft market, children's games and inflatables, and live music and karaoke that keep the afternoon lively until closing time.

A Tuscia village waiting to be discovered

The Municipality of Vallerano, in the province of Viterbo, is one of the most characteristic villages in the Cimini Mountains, in the heart of the Lazio Tuscia. Famous for its chestnuts, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ruscello, and the evocative "Night of the Candles" that illuminates it at the end of summer, the village finds its great spring celebration in the Porcini Mushroom Festival. It is the perfect opportunity to combine a memorable lunch with the discovery of one of the most authentic corners of Lazio, just over an hour from Rome.