Braciola Festival

The longest-running food festival in the Monti Picentini

The Braciola Festival is the event that brings the historic center of Rovella—the ancient heart of the town of Montecorvino Rovella in the province of Salerno, Campania—to life every late August. Considered the longest-running food and wine festival in the Monti Picentini, it reached its 45th edition in 2025: nearly half a century of voluntary work by the Pro Loco Rovella and an entire town that opens its squares, alleys, and courtyards to visitors for a few evenings.

The braciola, a dish that defines identity

At the heart of the festival is the braciola: a stuffed meat roll tied with traditional fil di ferro (wire) and slow-cooked in tomato sauce according to an ancient local recipe that the families of Rovella have guarded for generations. According to local historians, the tradition dates back to the early 1500s, when the Spanish presence in the Kingdom of Naples introduced this way of preparing meat, which later became a symbol of belonging for the entire Picentini area.

At the festival, the braciola is best enjoyed in a crusty roll, the most popular version, or as a sauce for pasta. Alongside the main dish, the stalls offer other home-cooked specialties: French fries, pennette with braciola ragù, peaches in wine, and fried zeppole, all accompanied by wines from the Colli Salernitani.

Six evenings of stalls, alleys, and live music

The event takes place in the main square and throughout the historic center, where the village fills with food stations, craft stalls, and local products. What visitors can expect every year:

• Food stalls typically open from 8:00 PM;
• Live music every evening, featuring local bands;
• Evening strolls through the alleys of the medieval village, illuminated and decorated for the occasion;
• Free admission: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls.

A "Quality Festival" committed to the environment

The Braciola Festival has been awarded the "Sagra di Qualità" (Quality Festival) mark by UNPLI, the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy, a recognition reserved for events that promote authentic products and meet strict organizational standards. The event is also plastic-free: the tableware and materials used are compostable, a choice that has also received Legambiente certification. A gluten-free option is available, with a dedicated roll for celiacs.

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the Pro Loco Rovella has not yet released the official calendar for 2026. Dates circulating on some generalist portals are inconsistent and not confirmed by any official organization statement or local press. Based on previous editions, all held in the second half of August, the event is expected to take place during that period again this year. However, it is necessary to check the official Pro Loco announcements before traveling.

Montecorvino Rovella, gateway to the Picentini

Montecorvino Rovella is located a few kilometers from the Piana del Sele and the provincial capital Salerno, at the foot of the Monti Picentini, an area of great natural value protected by the Regional Park of the same name. The municipal territory combines hilly hamlets, olive groves, and chestnut woods: a location that makes the festival an excellent opportunity to discover a lesser-known part of the Campanian hinterland, a short distance from the Amalfi Coast and the archaeological site of Paestum.