Autumn and Forgotten Fruits Festival

A festival dedicated to autumn and rural memory

The Autumn and Forgotten Fruits Festival is the event that brings the center of Castellana Grotte to life every October. Located in the Itria Valley, a town famous for its caves in the province of Bari, in the heart of Puglia, the event has grown since its inception in 2022 to become one of the most beloved autumn festivals in the region, offering a way to rediscover the flavors and traditions of the past.

Forgotten fruits take center stage

The heart of the festival is the recovery of so-called forgotten fruits, ancient varieties once common in the Puglian countryside that have now almost disappeared from markets. Among the stalls and in the Garden of Forgotten Fruits, visitors can discover and taste:

• arbutus, pomegranate, and cornelian cherry
• jujubes, service berries, and azaroles
• carob, quince, and medlars
• chestnuts, walnuts, and other seasonal produce

Alongside the ancient fruits, you will find artisanal jams, traditional rural recipes, and tastings of local products, including regional wines like Primitivo di Gioia del Colle.

A program of taste, culture, and entertainment

The event combines food and wine, culture, and entertainment. Along Piazza Nicola e Costa and Corso Italia, there are tastings, producer stalls, workshops, and in-depth discussions on ancient fruits and agricultural biodiversity. The evenings are animated by live music, roving street performers, and theatrical performances.

Young people play a key role: the IISS "Consoli", the hospitality institute of Castellana Grotte, participates with gastronomic creations and reinterpretations of traditional recipes, offering visitors samples prepared by the students.

Who organizes the festival

The Autumn Festival is promoted by the Pro Loco of Castellana Grotte "Don Nicola Pellegrino", with the patronage of the Municipality of Castellana Grotte and the Puglia Region, in collaboration with IISS "Consoli", GAL Trulli e Grotte, and various local associations. The initiative is part of the Puglian autumn festival calendar and highlights the bond between the local community, folk traditions, and agri-food heritage.

Why attend

Visiting the Autumn Festival means immersing yourself in a genuine atmosphere, surrounded by the scents of ripe fruit, the flavors of yesteryear, and the warm hospitality of the people of Castellana Grotte. It is an ideal occasion for families and curious travelers who wish to discover an authentic side of Puglia, away from the most beaten tourist paths, in a village that blends rural tradition with natural beauty.