'A Cillisi - Scents of the Past, Flavors of Tradition

A journey through time in the heart of Cilento

'A Cillisi - Scents of the Past, Flavors of Tradition is much more than a food festival: it is the living story of a village reclaiming its peasant heritage. For three evenings in August, the historic center of Celle di Bulgheria, a town in the province of Salerno, Campania, transforms into a sprawling stage for history, flavors, and culture. Alleys, stone arches, portals, and courtyards of the old village are decorated to transport visitors into the atmosphere of rural Cilento, amidst lanterns, everyday objects, and themed installations.

The event unfolds within the maze of narrow streets of the old town—the tight heart of the village that locals affectionately call u stindinu—where every corner becomes a stop on an itinerary blending gastronomy, craftsmanship, and entertainment.

Twenty-five dishes of Cellese cuisine

The heart of the festival is the food and wine trail: each evening, visitors can taste twenty-five traditional dishes, from rustic appetizers to homemade desserts, prepared according to ancient Cellese recipes by the local women and paired with regional wines. Specialties that have defined the trail over the years include:

• local cheeses, from mozzarella aged on myrtle branches to goat's milk primosale;
• cured meats and preserves from the peasant tradition;
• homemade fried foods, from zucchini flowers to fried pizzas and potato croquettes;
• handmade pasta, such as cavatielli with ragù and pasta with chickpeas;
• simple desserts from the Cilento culinary tradition.

The dishes change every evening, ensuring that those who return over the three days never find the same menu: this is the formula that has made 'A Cillisi one of the most popular gastronomic festivals in inland Cilento.

The village that steps back in time

Alongside the food is the rural re-enactment. Performers in period costumes recreate scenes of daily life from the past: field work, household chores, and workshops of ancient trades. The market of ancient crafts showcases tools, techniques, and artisan knowledge that have accompanied the village's life for generations, while roving performances and shows in the small squares bring the route to life night after night.

Folk music, crafts, and workshops

The soundtrack is provided by Southern folk music, with tarantellas and traditional songs accompanying the public along the alleys. The program also includes local craft exhibitions and creative workshops open to adults and children, designed to let them experience the gestures and crafts of the past firsthand. The event is designed with families in mind, featuring activities dedicated to the little ones.

Celle di Bulgheria, between the mountains and the sea of Cilento

Celle di Bulgheria rises at an altitude of about 230 meters on the slopes of Mount Bulgheria, in the heart of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, just a few kilometers from the Gulf of Policastro and the beaches of lower Cilento. It is a land of olive trees, figs, and pastures, whose humble cuisine—made of legumes, wild vegetables, handmade pasta, and cheeses—is among the recognized roots of the Mediterranean diet. 'A Cillisi was born precisely to preserve and transmit this heritage: not a tourist showcase, but a community effort involving dozens of volunteers every year.

Who organizes it

The event is managed by the Asscer Cellarum cultural association, in collaboration with the Municipality of Celle di Bulgheria. Over the years, the event has also received the patronage of the Campania Region. The association oversees both the gastronomic aspects and the scenic decorations of the village, and serves as the reference point for information and program updates, shared primarily through the festival's social media channels.