Le dolci colline

Every tourist who visits Umbria notices with sympathy and surprise how many traditional folklore initiatives he can find, along with modern leisures;:  every local community exploits the occasion to confirm its own identity and roots, offering to the tourist important occasions to savour the most genuine feelings and tastes.  Truffles, mushrooms, chocolate and wine are Umbria's most famous and precious gastronomic treasures, and dominate the local celebrations.

The manifestations are usually related to the cycles of nature or to religious recurrences and aim to recreate spectacular atmospheres, rituals of religious origin. Great importance is also given to the historical celebrations devoted to the Middle Age 

The Race of the Candles (Gubbio), is an ancient and exciting contest devoted to Saint Ubaldo, and takes place every year on May 15^th; the Calendimaggio (Assisi), Valentine’s Day (Saint Valentine is the patron of Terni), the Quintana Contest in Foligno.

In the territory around Valfabbrica we can enjoy the following events:

FESTIVITY Of AUTUMN The feast of Fall:  The manifestation is tied to the religious festivity of the Crucifix, and it sees the country of Valfabbrica divided in three rioni:  Pedicino, Tavern (Ostery) and Abbey (Badia).  This festivity begins the first Sunday of september: the country, illuminated by many torchs, in an evocative atmosphere, offers angles of rare beauty.  During the festivity the town’s rioni (small districts) effect a beautiful parade wearing customs inspired to the Middle Age; the clou of the manifestation is to be found near the field of the games, where the challenge of the saracino and the ring take place.  The winning rione obtains the  precious prize of the racing silk

CANTAMAGGIO In the first half of the month of May, the beautiful locality of Casacastalda is the theatre of this musical manifestation, that recalls the songs of the ancient minstrels.  In the Middle Ages they used to sing serenades to honour the women’s beauty, but in modern times the tradition has transformed the serenades in singing hymns to the new month.

FESTIVAL of the FOCONE Once it was the "Festival of the Fish":  In 1999 it has become the Festival of the Focone, set in the beautiful green of the Communal Park of Valfabbrica:  It takes its name from the method of baking its culinarie specialties, all rigorously cooked to the burning coal.  The festivity is animated by music, lotteries and games for children and; it is carried out in July.

FESTIVAL of the SPAGHETTO This culinary event Casacastalda is organized in Casacastalda since 25 years, during the week of Ferragosto (August 15^th):  tartufo truffle sauce, amatriciana, carbonara, but also gnocchi, pork, pies with prosciutto (ham) and salsicce (sausages): these are irresistible temptations for visitors and local people. The typical cake of Casacastalda, the Fregnaccia, is a real specialty.  Numerous the musical shows and dancing, the popular games and a beautifulst pyrotechnical show

FESTIVAL OF THE PIZZA MADE IN FURNACE It’s a traditional celebration organized ijn the small town of Poggio San Dionisio at the end of the day. Together with the delicious pizzas, prepared in an old furnace, it’s possible to taste other local products (meat, salami, pasta), to dance outdoors and to take part in lotteries and traditional games.

LIVING MANGER In the evocative frame of the medieval Casacastalda, the residents, during the Christmas period, give to life to the representation of the Holy Nativity, rendering the small Umbrian village one "particular" Betlemme.