Abbàsce o fiume

A day on the banks of the Tanagro

«Abbàsce o fiume» is a dialect expression that in the Alburni region simply means «down at the river». It was the invitation once given to children when, with the first warm days, they would head down to the valley to fish, swim, and spend the afternoon in the shade. This collective memory inspired the event organized by the Pro Loco Monti Alburni APS in the town of Sicignano degli Alburni, in the province of Salerno, Campania: a day of celebration in the Incoronata district, on the banks of the Tanagro river.

Where it takes place: the Tanagro and the Incoronata district

The Tanagro is the main tributary of the Sele river and flows through the Alburni territory before carving out the gorges that enclose the valley. In the Incoronata district, the river slows down and forms easily accessible gravel bends. This is where the festival area is set up, complete with tables, benches, a refreshment point, and spaces for workshops. The choice of location is no coincidence, as the event was born with the declared goal of enhancing the environmental and cultural heritage of the area, drawing attention back to a river that for generations was a vital daily resource for local villages.

What to do

• Demonstrations of ancient fishing methods, curated by the Alburni Trekking association: tools and techniques passed down orally, explained to the public directly by the river.
• Water trekking along the Tanagro, with guided walks upstream.
• Railway trekking on the old decommissioned track, a route that combines industrial archaeology with river landscapes.
• Traditional games workshop, hosted by the «Lo Stare Insieme» association: the pastimes our grandparents enjoyed, re-proposed for today's children.
• Face painting and activities designed for the little ones.
• Folk music with the Paranza Madonna dei Bagni, in the tradition of the Campanian devotional style.

The festival cuisine

The refreshment area offers simple dishes from peasant cuisine: farmer's pasta, sausage, pork ribs with fried potatoes, sweet fritters, strawberry cups, and drinks. In previous editions, tastings of warm ricotta, prepared according to the local recipe, were among the most appreciated moments of the day. For organizational reasons, bringing food and drinks from outside is not permitted.

Crafts and memory

Alongside the nature-based activities, there are hands-on workshops. In the 2025 edition, children decorated river pebbles with Cera Mire, turning them into small works of art inspired by the surrounding nature, while wicker weaving was demonstrated by the «Montedoro» retirement home. This is one of the most successful aspects of the event: connecting different generations through artisanal skills that were at risk of disappearing.

A growing event

Reaching its fourth edition in 2026, «Abbàsce o fiume» has established itself as a fixed early-summer appointment in Sicignano degli Alburni. The Pro Loco Monti Alburni has built the day on a sober and participatory formula—no big stages, just the community gathering in its own landscape—and has declared its intention to make the event a permanent annual fixture. The success of the first editions has also attracted visitors from neighboring towns.

Sicignano degli Alburni and its surroundings

The town of Sicignano degli Alburni is located in the northern part of the province of Salerno, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The village, dominated by the ruins of its castle, overlooks the Tanagro valley and is one of the access points to the Alburni plateau, the limestone massif known as the «Campanian Dolomites». Those attending the festival can easily combine it with a visit to the historic center and the town's hamlets, or continue towards the area's caves, among the most visited in Campania.