Antichi Sapori Puglianesi Festival

A festival that celebrates the rustic heritage of Pugliano

Every summer, at the beginning of August, Via Diaz transforms into an open-air living room for the village of Pugliano, one of the six hamlets that make up the municipality of Montecorvino Pugliano, in the province of Salerno, Campania region. The Antichi Sapori Puglianesi Festival began as a local feast and retains that authentic spirit: no staged scenery, just the village streets, tables set up outdoors, local families cooking, and visitors arriving from the nearby Sele Plain. The common thread is the rediscovery of traditional flavors—the simple, patient recipes of our grandmothers.

Traditional Puglianese dishes

The menu is the heart of the event, built almost entirely on local recipes. At the stalls run by volunteers, you will typically find:

• Cavatielli allardati, fresh handmade pasta, often served with beans;
• Pizzelle di sciurilli, fritters made with zucchini flowers;
• Eggplant parmigiana in a cuzzetiello, served inside a traditional crusty bread roll;
• Sandwiches with porchetta or sausage;
• Caciocavallo impiccato (melted hanging cheese) and parmizzona;
• Homemade desserts: pasticelle, sweet peaches, zeppole, and sfogliatelle.

Every edition brings something new: in 2025, for instance, the "black buffalo" was introduced, highlighting the festival's connection to the livestock farms of the Sele Plain.

Live music every night

Next to the food stalls, there is always a stage. The Pro Loco curates a lineup that alternates between folk bands, tributes to Italian and Neapolitan songs, comedy, and dance. Over the years, the stage has hosted artists well-known to the Campanian public, such as Ciccio Merolla, James Senese, the Fratelli Scacchia, the folk music group Antiqua Giostra, and Diadema. Evenings usually begin around 8:30 PM and continue late into the night, with the village center closed to traffic and turned into a pedestrian area.

Who organizes the event

The festival is promoted by the Pro Loco Montecorvino Pugliano, with the patronage of UNPLI and the collaboration of the municipal administration. It is an entirely volunteer-driven effort: members and citizens cook, serve at tables, and manage logistics and parking. This is why prices remain very affordable and the atmosphere is that of a genuine community celebration rather than a commercial event.

Montecorvino Pugliano, between the Picentini Mountains and the Sele Plain

The municipality of Montecorvino Pugliano spans nearly 29 km², descending from the foothills of the Picentini Mountains to the plains, with a population of over 11,000 distributed among the hamlets of Bivio Pratole, Pagliarone, Pugliano, Santa Tecla (the municipal seat), San Vito, and Torello. It borders Bellizzi, Giffoni Valle Piana, Montecorvino Rovella, and Pontecagnano Faiano—just minutes from the Salerno coast and close to the Giffoni Film Festival venues. Pugliano, the hamlet hosting the festival, is the highest historical village at about 342 meters above sea level, offering stunning views over the plains toward the sea on August evenings.

Why it's worth the trip

Those looking for an authentic festival in the province of Salerno will find a simple, successful formula here: homemade food at popular prices, quality live music, and a village that opens its doors to visitors. It is a family-friendly event with open-air spaces, shared tables, and the option to dine without reservations. It is a direct way to experience inland Campania—the part that doesn't appear in guidebooks but guards the most ancient recipes.