Zepponami Ricotta Festival

A festival born around ricotta

The Zepponami Ricotta Festival takes place in Zepponami, a small village in the municipality of Montefiascone, in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Lazio Tuscia region. Here, shepherding is not just a folkloric memory but a living practice: flocks graze on the plateaus sloping down toward Lake Bolsena, and ricotta, made from sheep's milk whey, remains the area's most iconic product. The festival was born from this domestic tradition and brings it into the village square, turning it into a community celebration open to everyone.

Ricotta as the star, from the cauldron to the plate

The heart of the event is the live cheesemaking demonstration: cheesemakers work in front of the public, showing the process from milk to curd and the moment the ricotta rises in the cauldron. It is a slow, precise spectacle that fascinates both children and those who remember watching it being made at home. Immediately after, it's time for a taste: the ricotta is enjoyed warm, fresh from the ladle, or used as an ingredient in traditional Viterbo dishes.

• Fresh daily ricotta, served warm
• Traditional Tuscia pasta dishes
• Ricotta-based desserts and tarts
• Local cheeses and typical regional products

A celebration from morning to midnight

The festival program spans the entire day. Recreational and gastronomic activities begin early in the morning and continue until late at night, when the community gathers for the midnight spaghetti feast, a convivial moment that has become a signature of the event. In between, there are food stalls, traditional games, shows, and live music, with bands and groups enlivening the village streets.

The bond with the Madonna del Giglio

The festival is closely linked to the Madonna del Giglio Feast, the religious celebration that marks the spring calendar in Zepponami and revolves around the 19th-century church dedicated to the Virgin. This blend of popular devotion and gastronomic festivity is typical of Lazio festivals: the sanctuary sets the rhythm of the days, while the tables, music, and games create the time for social gathering. Visitors will find an event that wasn't manufactured for tourists, but one that stems from the life of the village itself.

Who organizes it

The event is managed by the Comitato Zepponami, a local association that brings together village volunteers and has grown the event over the years into one of the most popular spring gatherings in the Montefiascone area. The eighth edition was held in 2025, confirming its established continuity.

What to see around the festival

A visit to the festival can easily be combined with a day in Montefiascone, which overlooks Lake Bolsena from its papal fortress and houses the Basilica of San Flaviano. It is also the home of Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone, the most famous white wine in the province of Viterbo, which naturally pairs with the festival's fresh cheeses. All around lies the volcanic landscape of the lake, with the beaches of Marta and Bolsena just a few minutes' drive away.