Baccanalia

A journey through 600 cellars carved into the rock

Baccanalia is the most iconic summer event in San Gregorio Magno, a town in the upper Tanagro valley in the province of Salerno, Campania. The heart of the festival is Via Bacco, the ancient village district where there are over 600 centuries-old cellars carved directly into the rock: caves that maintain a constant temperature year-round, which local families have always used to store their homemade wine. For five nights in August, these cellars are opened to the public, illuminated, and decorated: about fifty of them transform into small taverns with tables, menus, and wine from local producers.

More than just a food festival

Visitors arriving in San Gregorio Magno won't find a tent with a few stalls, but an immersive trail winding through the village alleys. Wine, gastronomy, music, and theater merge into a multisensory experience: costumed performances recalling ancient rites dedicated to Bacchus, art installations, roving performances, songs, and folk dances accompany visitors from one cave to the next. This formula, which has grown year after year, has taken the event beyond regional borders, attracting tens of thousands of people from all over Italy.

Wine and local cuisine

The absolute star is the local wine, with Aglianico taking center stage alongside Piedirosso, served in the very cellars where it was born and aged. It is accompanied by mountain peasant cuisine that has remained true to its roots here:

• "Patan cnzuat": mountain potatoes boiled and seasoned with local extra virgin olive oil and dried peppers, both De.Co. certified.
• Artisanal cheeses and cured meats from the upper Tanagro valley.
• Fresh handmade pasta—cavatelli and fusilli—with wild boar ragù or traditional sauces.
• Mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and grilled meats.
• Homemade desserts and liqueurs from local families.

A 'Quality Festival' title

Baccanalia is recognized as one of the most authentic festivals in Campania: it was awarded the 'Quality Festival' title by UNPLI (the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy) during a ceremony hosted at the Senate of the Republic. This recognition honors the authenticity of the products, the bond with the community, and the organization, which is entirely managed by the volunteers of the Pro Loco San Gregorio Magno APS, in synergy with the Municipality of San Gregorio Magno.

The heart of the 'Estate Gregoriana'

The event is the highlight of the Estate Gregoriana (Gregorian Summer), the calendar of events that brings the town to life from June to September. This includes the Feast of San Vito with the 'Turniata' ritual, the San Vito Tournament, the Angiolillo Folk Festival by the Gregorian Folk Group, and the Bacco Festival in mid-August. The program is built collectively by the Municipality, the Pro Loco, the Youth Forum, and the local association network, with the stated goal of uniting tradition, entertainment, tourism, and community participation.

What to expect

The days follow a well-established rhythm: in the afternoon, there are thematic workshops, guided tours through vineyards and ancient farmhouses, and activities for children; from the evening onwards, the cellars and dining areas open; late at night, the concert area features live music and folk dancing. The village has no architectural barriers along the main route, and the QR code signage introduced in recent editions allows visitors to discover history, rock art, and the landscape independently. Those visiting San Gregorio Magno during these days discover, alongside the festival, a lesser-known side of inland Campania: one of stone villages, cave-cellars, and family viticulture that has survived the test of time.