Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia: wine, Bacchus, and the village of Abbateggio

Bacchanalia is the autumn wine festival that brings the historic centre of Abbateggio to life every year. This small town in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo, sits at an altitude of 450 metres on the northern slopes of the Maiella and is officially listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Founded in 2012 to honour Bacchus, the event celebrates St. Martin's Day—when, according to local folklore, "every must becomes wine"—transforming the town's stone alleys into a journey of taste, art, and culture.

Cellars open in the historic centre

The heart of Bacchanalia lies in the cellars set up throughout the village. Local families and associations open the doors to historic cellars, each named after entries from the 1743 Abbateggio land registry, bringing long-forgotten names back to light. Inside, visitors can sample new wine and fresh olive oil produced by local farms, accompanied by traditional Abruzzese peasant cuisine.

Traditional flavours

The cuisine at Bacchanalia tells the story of the rural soul of the Maiella. Among the specialities served along the route are simple yet hearty dishes:

• Sagne e fagioli (pasta with beans)
• Tripe, pork rinds, and beans
• Sausages and roasted pork
• Cacio e uovo (cheese and egg)
• Traditional Abruzzese desserts
• New wine, fresh olive oil, and mulled wine

Music, guest villages, and atmosphere

Tastings are accompanied by folk music, traditional songs, and moments of art and culture that enliven the squares and alleys. In recent editions, the event has welcomed other Most Beautiful Villages of Abruzzo as special guests, creating an encounter that celebrates the region's cultural and landscape heritage. The intimate atmosphere of the historic centre, illuminated for the occasion, makes Bacchanalia an authentic and convivial evening, far removed from large-scale commercial events.

A village to discover

Abbateggio, a municipality within the Maiella National Park and Geopark, is famous for its spelt cultivation and its landscape stretching between the Morrone mountains, the Gran Sasso, and the Adriatic Sea. Bacchanalia is the perfect opportunity to discover this corner of Abruzzo during the St. Martin's period, amidst the colours of autumn and the flavours of the harvest.