Braciola and Strangolaprievati Village Festival

A village festival in the heart of Cilento

Every year, during the first week of August, the small village of Santa Lucia, a hamlet of Sessa Cilento (Salerno, Campania), transforms into a large open-air dining room. The Braciola and Strangolaprievati Village Festival is one of the most cherished gastronomic events in the Cilento hinterland: no massive stages or big-name acts, just decorated alleyways, long communal tables, pots of rich sauce, and an entire community cooking for its guests.

The village is nestled within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, just a few kilometers from the Cilento coast, yet firmly set in the rolling hills among olive groves and stone houses. This dual character—both maritime and rural—sets the tone for the event.

The two signature dishes

The festival's name says it all. The menu focuses on two staples of local peasant cuisine:

• Cilento-style braciola (locally known as brasciola): a stuffed meat roll, slow-cooked in tomato sauce for hours until tender. The resulting sauce is then used to dress the pasta.
• Strangolaprievati: handmade fresh pasta made from water and flour, similar to cavatelli. The dialect name, related to the famous «strozzapreti», reflects the peasant irony directed at overly gluttonous clergy.

Alongside these two stars, you will find local cheeses, artisanal cured meats, traditional desserts, and Cilento wine. In some years, the event has also been promoted as the «Wild Boar and Strangolaprievati Festival», highlighting its connection to the game meat found in the surrounding woods.

Since 1999

The festival was born in 1999 and has been held punctually every first week of August since, organized by the Santa Lucia community. In 2025, the event reached its 25th edition, cementing its status as a staple of the Sessa Cilento summer, alongside the «Miezzo a' chiazza e 'indo ai purtuni» festival held in the main town at the end of July.

Beyond the food: music, dance, and crafts

The evenings offer much more than just food stalls. The program features folk music concerts and traditional dances along the center's narrow streets, craft markets, and workshops for children, creating the convivial atmosphere that defines the festival. Food stalls open at 7:30 PM, and the entertainment continues throughout the night.

What to see nearby

Visitors attending the festival can take the opportunity to explore the area: the hiking trails of the National Park, the rural architecture of the Sessa Cilento hamlets, the valley views, and, a short drive away, the beaches of the Cilento coast. It is a form of slow tourism that perfectly matches the spirit of the event: those who stay for a few days discover a more authentic Cilento than the one found on the beach.

Essential information

• Where: Historic center of Santa Lucia, hamlet of Sessa Cilento (SA), Campania
• When: First week of August, three consecutive evenings
• Time: Food stalls open from 7:30 PM
• Admission: Free, pay for tastings at the stalls