Biscotto Castriciano Festival

The Biscotto Castriciano Festival in Castroreale

The Biscotto Castriciano Festival is the most beloved food and wine event in Castroreale, an ancient village perched on the hills of the Messina province in Sicily. Every year, in the heart of summer, the historic center comes alive to celebrate the town's signature cookie: the Biscotto Castriciano. The event, organized by the Pro Loco Artemisia, turns the village squares into a vibrant celebration where tastings of the local specialty blend with musical performances and folk dances.

The Biscotto Castriciano, the Badissa's cookie

Also known as the "Badissa" cookie, this treat with its characteristic elongated shape was traditionally created in the Monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Poor Clare nuns jealously guarded the recipe. The formula remained secret for a long time and is still passed down by local bakeries today. The dough is made with simple, genuine ingredients: anise, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, lard, sugar, flour, water, and salt, with no eggs or milk. The result is a fragrant, aromatic cookie, perfect for dipping in warm milk or, as is the local custom, pairing with lemon granita.

A celebration of taste and tradition

During the festival, visitors can enjoy free samples of Biscotto Castriciano provided by local bakeries, paired with lemon granita prepared by local bars. The evenings are enlivened by orchestras and bands, cabaret shows, and traditional Sicilian dances—from the tarantella to the polka—that invite the public to join in the square. The atmosphere of the medieval village, with its alleys, churches, and views over the Tyrrhenian coast, provides a stunning backdrop for an event that attracts visitors from across the Nebrodi area and the Messina region every year.

Castroreale and its flavors

Listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, Castroreale preserves a rich artistic and architectural heritage. The Biscotto Castriciano Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover this jewel of the Messina province, combining a visit to the historic center with the pleasure of a cookie with a centuries-old history, an authentic expression of Sicilian culinary identity.