Right before I moved to Italy, I was listening to my favourite podcast about moving to Italy (see the link below) and Vera, one of the co-hosts mentioned “Sagras”. Having spent 18 years to-ing and fro-ing between the UK and Italy, I have to admit to never having heard of a “sagra” before. 

For the uninitiated, a sagra is a typical Italian food festival. To my amazement, just weeks into my new life in Lazio, I was invited by my landlady to go visit the local chestnut festival. To say I was dubious is an understatement. However, I had the best time! I visited the Sagra della Castagna di Manziana and first of all, I was really surprised by the sheer size of it. It was massive! 

The whole town was involved and there was such a great spirit of community in the town. There was live music everywhere you turned and so many artisan stalls. I couldn’t quite believe how many options there were for food and drink. I was just expecting a couple of roasted chestnut stalls, but in fact, there was all sorts, including a tasty but very strong chestnut wine! For the first time ever, I tried Pizza Fritta- just the salted version- OMG, just divine!! 

The overall vibe of the event was one of celebration. People were happy, relaxed and just enjoying good food and drink. There were enormous chestnut roasting contraptions, that looked very similar to what is used in Germany to cook Bratwurst at the German Christmas markets. These were suspended over big bonfires, with some very lovely locals stacking the trays on regular intervals for roasting.

I think what I probably loved most about the event was being made to feel part of something. I haven’t been here for long enough to say part of the community, but definitely welcomed by my surrogate group of friends and whilst listening to a band in the main square, being able to sing at the top of my voice to one of my favourite Italian songs by Mannarino- Me So’ Mbriacato. At that moment, I felt true gratitude for being able to live this life and feel part of something that truly made me feel good. I definitely won’t be so hesitant about the next Sagra that I see on the horizon!

Have you ever been to a sagra? Which kind? What did you think? Let me know below.