Al Cenacolo dei Sapori

A dive into the Abruzzese Belle Époque

Al Cenacolo dei Sapori is one of the most iconic historical events in Francavilla al Mare, a coastal town in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Every year, at the end of August, the charming Paese Alto (Upper Town) transforms into an open-air stage, transporting visitors back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Francavilla was celebrated as the "Pearl of the Adriatic".

The Michetti Circle

The festival honors the memory of the Cenacolo, the circle of artists and intellectuals who gathered around the painter Francesco Paolo Michetti at the famous Convent in the Upper Town. This extraordinary creative hub included figures such as Gabriele D'Annunzio, the musician Francesco Paolo Tosti, the sculptor Costantino Barbella, and the writer Edoardo Scarfoglio. The event brings that atmosphere back to life with actors in period costumes, tableaux vivants, and re-enactments that capture the charm of the Adriatic Belle Époque.

Music, entertainment, and tradition

The evenings of the Cenacolo animate the squares of the ancient village with a rich program of performances: classical and pop music concerts, live orchestras, dance, street theatre, and street arts featuring jugglers, stilt walkers, and fire performers. The event also features displays of vintage cars and costume parades that guide the public through a journey of history, art, and spectacle.

The flavors of Abruzzo

As the name suggests, taste is as much a protagonist as culture: along the streets of the Paese Alto, food stalls offer traditional Abruzzese dishes and local products, from arrosticini to local sweets, providing visitors with an experience that blends fine food and wine with historical memory.

A highlight of the summer calendar

The event is organized by the municipal administration of Francavilla al Mare and is part of the city's summer festival program. Evenings generally begin at dusk and continue late into the night. With free admission, the Cenacolo is a beloved appointment for both locals and tourists vacationing on the Costa dei Trabocchi.