Vicalvi Prize Briscola Tournament

The Ferragosto Briscola in the historic center

On August 15th, while all of Italy celebrates Ferragosto, Vicalvi chooses the most convivial path possible: a Prize Briscola Tournament held from 5:00 PM among the alleys and small squares of the historic center. The event is officially part of the Estate Vicalvese 2026 calendar, a program of events promoted by the municipal administration, and turns the ancient heart of the village into a large shared gaming table, where players challenge each other with high cards, trumps, and team strategies.

A game that symbolizes Italian tradition

Briscola is, along with Scopa, the most beloved and played card game in Italy: it is played in bars, squares, and homes in every region, using regional decks—which in Ciociaria are traditionally Neapolitan or Roman. Bringing it to a competition on Ferragosto means turning a daily ritual that unites generations into a festive event: expert pensioners, local youth, and vacationers sit side by side at the table, and the match becomes an opportunity for meeting even before it is one of competition. The prizes add spice to the challenge, but the real trophy is the right to talk about the winning hand for an entire year.

Vicalvi, the village of the castle with the red cross

Vicalvi is one of the smallest villages in the province of Frosinone, perched on a hill overlooking the Valle di Comino, between Sora and Atina, just a stone's throw from the Lago di Posta Fibreno Nature Reserve. Its profile is unmistakable: at the summit stands the Lombard-era castle, on whose walls the large red cross remains, painted when the fortress was used as a military hospital during the Second World War. The historic center hosting the tournament is a maze of stone alleys, arches, and panoramic views of the valley: a perfect setting for an afternoon of open-air gaming in the most authentic Lazio Region.

The Estate Vicalvese 2026

The Briscola tournament is one of the highlights of the Estate Vicalvese 2026, the summer calendar of the Municipality of Vicalvi. The program opens on July 19th at Parco Bosseto with the first Grilled Meat Festival, a cabaret evening with Nduccio and his band, and a vintage car exhibition; it continues on July 25th in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II with the Pro Loco evening "E via cantando" and on August 9th with karaoke featuring Erica and Fabrizio, accompanied by a surprise culinary evening; after the Ferragosto Briscola, the Crespella Festival closes the season on August 17th at the square of the church of San Rocco. A summer of widespread festivities that makes the small village an ideal stop for those exploring the Valle di Comino between July and August.

An authentic Ferragosto in Ciociaria

Those looking for a Ferragosto away from the crowded beaches will find a genuine alternative in Vicalvi: arrive in the afternoon, watch or participate in the tournament, stroll through the cool alleys of the village, and perhaps stay until evening to enjoy the view over the valley. Two days later, the Crespella Festival offers the perfect excuse to return: a long mid-August weekend dedicated to the most authentic traditions of Ciociaria.