The Melon Festival of Pescia Romana is a celebration in the small hamlet of Montalto di Castro, reaffirming that the undisputed king of summer is indeed the melon.

In this corner of the province of Viterbo, nestled in the land of the Maremma Laziale cowboys, the age-old advice of grandmothers has become a modern-day rule: after all, what better way to combat the summer heat than with a fresh melon?

Few people know that ever since it began being consumed in the Mediterranean area thanks to the Egyptians in the distant 5th century BC, the melon was long considered a vegetable and used in salads, or as a special dish seasoned with pepper and salt. The melon – known for its tanning properties by many, yet few are aware it's also recommended for stress relief – will enhance and accompany all the other dishes offered during the festival days, all typical of Viterbo's tradition: penne alla buttera and gnocchi with ragù as main courses, pork shank and wild boar with polenta as second courses.