In August, Rome empties out, and those who stay know it: the best weekends are the ones when you drive out of town and make do with very little. A square, some music, and something fried in your hand.
On August 8 and 9, that “little something” has a specific destination: Nerola, a medieval village in the Sabina region just an hour from Rome, where one of the area’s longest-running and most authentic festivals returns—the Fried Pizza Festival .
Nerola Fried Pizza Festival: The 33rd edition beneath Orsini Castle
On the second weekend of August (the 8th and 9th), Nerola hosts the 33rd edition of the Nerola Fried Pizza Festival, the event that for over thirty years has kicked off the “Ferragosto Nerolese” calendar—the festivities in honor of Santa Maria Assunta and San Rocco.
The food stands open at 7:30 p.m. in the square, in the historic center dominated by the imposing Orsini Castle; starting at 9:00 p.m., the festivities shift to live music, karaoke, and group dancing.
The Pro Loco organizes everything, and no reservations are accepted: you just show up and get in line, just as you always have.
The star of the show: hand-fried pizza, sweet or savory
The star of the evening is the Nerola-style fried pizza: dough kneaded entirely by hand and fried in extra-virgin olive oil from the hills of Nerola, in the heart of Sabina, one of Lazio’s most famous olive-growing regions.
You can choose from the classic versions: salt or sugar for those who want it plain, fresh tomato and basil, or prosciutto for those who prefer a savory option. In town, they call them “mitiche,” and they even joke about that adjective: the meaning is “come and judge for yourself.”
Beyond fried pizza: arrosticini, draft beer, and a square filled with dancing
For those who want more, there are also charcoal-grilled lamb skewers, French fries, and Nutella crepes to end on a sweet note—all washed down with draft beer.
But let’s be honest, the real highlight is the atmosphere: the square filling up, the music kicking off, and the group dances that don’t ask for permission. It’s the village festival in its most authentic form—unfiltered and without a hefty bill.
How to get to Nerola from Rome
🚗 Driving is the most sensible option. From Rome, take the A1 toward Florence, exit at Fiano Romano, and continue for about twenty kilometers on the Salaria toward Rieti; when you reach Borgo Quinzio, take the exit for Nerola and then follow the Salaria Vecchia toward Acquaviva. The total trip takes about an hour.
