Zucchini Flower Festival and Feast of the Patron Saints of Faleri (Gratiliano and Felicissima)

A village festival blending faith and the flavors of Tuscia

In the heart of summer, the small village of Faleri, located in the municipality of Fabrica di Roma (Viterbo province, Lazio), comes alive for the Zucchini Flower Festival and Feast of the Patron Saints Gratiliano and Felicissima. It is the quintessential Lazio summer festival: simple, seasonal cooking rooted in local gardens and family recipes, and a community gathered around the table and shared devotion. Organized by the Faleri Association, the event has long combined the religious celebration of its patron saints with a culinary festival, creating a unique identity for the village.

The zucchini flower, the star of the table

The delicious heart of the festival is, naturally, the Roman zucchini and its flower, a staple of the Lazio summer. At the food stalls in Parco dei Cedri, you can sample battered and fried zucchini flowers, pasta with zucchini and shrimp, and other local zucchini-based dishes. The menu doesn't stop there: enjoy fried salt cod, grilled meats, and the famous Frittelloni prepared according to tradition—a culinary journey highlighting the genuine flavors of the Agro Falisco.

The Feast of the Patron Saints Gratiliano and Felicissima

Running alongside the culinary festival is the religious celebration dedicated to Saints Gratiliano and Felicissima, the village's protectors. The calendar features liturgical celebrations and the traditional procession through the village streets, heartfelt moments that renew the bond between the community and its saints each year. The feast of the saints historically predates the culinary festival and remains its spiritual soul.

Music, dancing, and community evenings

The festival evenings are accompanied by musical entertainment and performances by local dance schools, bringing the square and the park to life until late. The formula is the classic village festival style: dining outdoors, enjoying music, and strolling among the stalls in a convivial atmosphere accessible to everyone, including families.

Faleri and the heritage of the Agro Falisco

The festival is also an opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of the Tuscia region. Faleri sits in a territory rich in history, just a stone's throw from the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Falerii Novi and the necropolises of the Agro Falisco. Visitors can combine their culinary experience with a visit to the village of Fabrica di Roma and its archaeological and natural heritage.

An event in the Fabrica di Roma area

Patronized by the Municipality of Fabrica di Roma, the Zucchini Flower Festival is now a staple of the Viterbo summer and one of the most defining events for the village of Faleri. Between devotion, gastronomy, and social life, it represents an authentic way to experience summer in the Lazio countryside, far from the crowds of the big city events.