Ateleta Lamb Festival

An Alto Sangro tradition born in 1969

The Ateleta Lamb Festival is one of the most deeply rooted culinary celebrations in the Alto Sangro area, held in the town of Ateleta, in the province of L'Aquila, on the southern border of Abruzzo and Molise. The first edition dates back to 1969. Since then, for generations, the festival has taken place on the large meadow in front of the Tenuta del Cavaliere—a spot locals affectionately call the Bosco del Cavaliere. This historic 200-hectare estate, featuring a stately manor, a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael, and ancient stables, is now under municipal ownership.

The heart of the festival: lamb and mountain flavors

The undisputed star is the lamb, raised on the high-altitude pastures surrounding the village. At the food stalls, open for both lunch and dinner, you can enjoy traditional Abruzzo pastoral cuisine prepared according to recipes passed down for decades:

• Ateleta-style polenta and truffle polenta
• Gnocchi with lamb ragù
• Grilled lamb with roasted sausage and potatoes
• Arrosticini (sheep skewers), the symbol of Abruzzo gastronomy
• Lamb coratella
• Pecora al cotturo, slow-cooked according to ancient shepherd traditions

The dishes are paired with local wines and regional products, creating a simple, genuine atmosphere that draws numerous visitors from neighboring towns in Abruzzo and Molise every year.

Music, folklore, and conviviality

The festival is more than just food: throughout the day, the Bosco del Cavaliere comes alive with folk music and live performances. Recent editions have featured the folk group I Briganti della Maiella and local artists, with the festivities continuing into the evening with musical entertainment and dancing. The natural setting—meadows, woods, and the peaks of the Majella on the horizon—makes this an ideal day out for families and fans of popular traditions.

Who organizes the festival

The event is promoted by the Ateleta Alpini Group and the local Civil Protection Volunteers, in collaboration with local associations. Proceeds support local volunteer activities, reflecting the spirit of participation that is an integral part of the Ateleta community's identity.

Ateleta and the surrounding area

Situated at an altitude of over 1,200 meters, Ateleta is an Alto Sangro village known for its 19th-century grid-pattern urban layout and its proximity to the Majella National Park and the ski resorts of Roccaraso and Aremogna. The Lamb Festival is one of the most anticipated summer events, offering a chance to rediscover the flavors of pastoral cuisine and the culture of this corner of mountainous Abruzzo.