Briganti in Festa & Sausage Festival

A journey through time among the brigands of the Monti Dauni

Briganti in Festa & the Sausage Festival is one of the most beloved summer events in Celenza Valfortore, a medieval village in the province of Foggia perched on the Monti Dauni, in the heart of northern Puglia on the border with Molise. For one night, the historic center transforms into a living stage: the euro is suspended and the local currency of yesteryear returns to circulation, allowing visitors to truly experience the atmosphere of the past among brigands, peasants, soldiers, and knights in costume who animate the alleys with theatrical scenes and ironic "extortions".

The re-enactment of post-unification brigandage

The event is rooted in the history of brigandage that ignited the Fortore Valley in the 19th century. Celenza Valfortore was the birthplace of figures who entered popular memory, such as the brigands Vardarelli and Varanelli, whose deeds are brought back to life in the historical re-enactment along the village streets. Actors and extras in period clothing reconstruct the life of the town from two centuries ago, giving substance to a narrative that blends peasant memory, legend, and local identity.

The Palio delle Contrade

The town is traditionally divided into two districts that compete in the Palio delle Contrade: the Torre (Tower), the ancient wealthy quarter, recognizable by the color yellow, and the Convento (Convent), the more popular district, represented by red. The two districts compete by preparing sausage-based dishes and enlivening the festival with processions, costumes, and a strong sense of belonging, in a challenge that involves the entire community.

The Sausage Festival

The gastronomic heart of the event is the Sausage Festival, one of the most renowned in the Daunia area: in 2025, it celebrated its 30th edition. The stalls in the historic center offer grilled sausage, the typical cicatelli with sausage (the "cicatell ca' savcicc"), and other local specialties, accompanied by local wine. The aroma of grilled meat drifts through the alleys and accompanies the visitor throughout the evening.

Music, folklore, and atmosphere

Accompanying the festival are folk music, street performers, and street theater, in an authentic and engaging setting. The grand finale is entrusted to the Tamburellisti di Torrepaduli, who bring the pizzica and the overwhelming rhythm of the Salento tradition to the village, in an evening that continues until dawn.

A village to discover

Organized by the Pro Loco of Celenza Valfortore with the town community, the event is also the ideal opportunity to discover one of the most evocative villages of the Monti Dauni: stone alleys, panoramic views of the Fortore Valley, and the hospitality of a small town in the Apulian sub-Apennines.