Events

Set amongst the delightful territory of Tuscia Laziale, a short distance from the town of Viterbo, lies Gradoli, an old but beautiful village, which annually hosts various interesting and charming events and festivals.

Here is a list of the best events held in Gradoli, from January to December:

January:

-“Tentavecchie”: running for three night before the 6th: the day of the Epiphany, this wonderfully magical festival involves citizens of the town shaking noisy instruments to scare away the witches, who are said in traditional stories to come at this time a wreak havoc.

February:

-“Pranzo del Purgatorio”(Lunch of Purgatory): held on Ash Wednesday, this luncheon celebrates the typical products of Gradoli and the high quality wine: Aleatico DOC.

-“La festa degli Incappucciati”(Festival of the Hooded): held on Shrove Tuesday, citizens of Gradoli dress up in festive costumes and form a colourful and musical parade up and down the streets.

May:

-“Festa di San Vittore”(St. Vittore Festival): During this festival, which takes place on the 14th, there is a procession to the church in honour of the saint.

July:

-“Santa Maria Maddalena”(St. Maria Maddalena): an event dedicated to the saint of the town with solemn but beautiful festivities along the streets of the town.

-“Sagra dell’Aleatico”(Aleatico Festival): a gastronomic festival held during the last week of July and the first of August, that celebrates and promotes the high quality and internationally renowned wine Aleatico DOC, made locally.

-“Fiera del Solleone”(Hot Day Fair): a traditional and colourful fair and market.

August:

-“Sagra dell’Aleatico”(Aleatico Fair): another celebration of the DOC wine, except this time with food stalls and events ensuring visitors can enjoy great food and great entertainment with this great wine.

-“San Magno”(St. Mango): festival for the patron saint of Gradoli, held on the 19th.

December:

-“Cantine della Pergola”(Pergola Cellars)

Must see events:

“La festa degli Incappucciati”(Festival of the Hooded): One of the most suggestive and unique events held in the delightful town of Gradoli, this festival occurs on Shrove Tuesday and never fails to draw a great deal of attention and visitors.

During the celebrations for Carnival, citizens of the town dress up in brown tunics, purple capes and cover their heads with a hood.

They then travel through the streets and alleys of the village collecting money for the Purgatory lunch held on the next day. Their aim is also to sell tickets and accept donations of goods and gadgets, which will then be displayed and sold the next day at the market to raise funds for the town.

Whilst quite unique and particular, this event has very ancient roots, dating back to the sixteenth century, when there was a strong link between Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, both of which symbolized that the period of festivities and carnival was over and would be followed by Lent, a period of penance.

To celebrate the end of this period men dressed in hoods and traveled the streets and countryside, knocking on the doors of houses and declaring that they were “Holy Souls in Purgatory” here to receive food and small objects to sell the next day at the street market.

The following day visitors and citizens alike can buy what others had donated and provide lunch for everyone present.

With such ancient origins, this festival is something of great importance to the people of Gradoli, who see it as a symbol of their culture and traditions and a wonderful demonstration of the rich and magical past that makes this town both unique and special