Abbasci' 'a Marina

The village that descends to the sea

Abbasci' 'a Marina takes place in Agnone Cilento, the seaside hamlet of the Municipality of Montecorice, in the province of Salerno, in the heart of Campania and within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The name is in the local Cilento dialect and simply means «down at the marina»: it is the invitation that locals have exchanged for generations to meet in the square overlooking the water, where the day ends with the sunset and fishermen's tales.

A thirteen-stop culinary journey

The event's format is that of a widespread food and wine trail. The stations set up along the village's narrow streets — thirteen stops in recent editions — follow the order of a real dinner, from appetizer to dessert, and are managed by local chefs and community volunteers. The absolute star is Cilento fish, the daily, popular catch rather than luxury restaurant fare.

• anchovies with zeppole and stuffed anchovies, a signature dish of the Cilento coast;
• mixed fried fish (paranza);
• pasta and beans with mussels;
• spicy mussels and other traditional Agnone seafood dishes;
• land-based alternatives for those who don't eat fish, from fried pizza to sausage sandwiches;
• traditional desserts and local wines.

Music, art, and crafts

The trail is not just about food. Between stops, past editions have hosted folk music groups — such as «La torre di Babele» —, solo singers, and street performers, while Cilento craft stalls and art exhibitions occupy the corners of the square. It is a way to introduce visitors to the trades that still survive in the villages along this stretch of coast.

Why the square matters

The organizers have always insisted on one point: the square of Agnone is not just a backdrop; it is a place of meeting and memory, where multiple generations have gathered. Abbasci' 'a Marina was born precisely to return that space to the community during the days when summer draws to a close, when visitors are still present but the village's rhythm has already returned to normal.

An early September appointment

The event is traditionally held at the beginning of September over two consecutive evenings, starting in the early evening. The third edition took place on September 2nd and 3rd, 2022, the fourth on September 1st and 2nd, 2023, while the 2025 edition took place on September 5th and 6th. A calendar that places the event among the last great appointments of the Cilento summer, when temperatures become milder and the sea is still inviting.

Agnone Cilento in a nutshell

Agnone is the largest hamlet of Montecorice, about three kilometers from the municipal seat and just over twenty from Agropoli. Its coastline, awarded the Blue Flag, alternates between sandy stretches and cliffs, and nearby San Nicola a Mare serves as its landing point. Those arriving for the event will therefore find, in addition to the tasting trail, one of the best-kept stretches of coast in the province of Salerno: a good reason to stay for at least a weekend and not just for one evening.