Caciocavallo Sassanese Festival

One of the most anticipated festivals in the Vallo di Diano

At the end of July, the small village of Caiazzano, in the municipality of Sassano (Salerno province, Campania), becomes a gathering point for thousands of people arriving from across the Vallo di Diano and much of the region. The reason is simple and always the same: caciocavallo cheese grilled over embers, served hot and melted in the festival area set up in the heart of the village, in front of the church of San Gaetano. The Caciocavallo Sassanese Festival reached its 22nd edition in 2026 and remains one of the most iconic summer food and wine events in this corner of Campania.

Caciocavallo, the signature product of Sassano

Caciocavallo is a stretched-curd cheese typical of Southern Italy, made from cow's milk and recognizable by its characteristic "figure-eight" shape, tied to the ancient habit of aging it astride a pole. In Sassano, a town of farmers and cheesemakers overlooking the Vallo di Diano, this cheese is not just a product to be sold: it is a piece of collective memory, linked to shepherding, transhumance, and the humble cuisine of peasant families. Grilling it and eating it freshly melted on a slice of bread is the ritual that brings the whole festival together.

The menu for the four evenings

At the food stalls, caciocavallo is offered in three versions, which have become a classic of the event:

• classic, simply grilled over embers;
• breaded, with a crispy crust;
• with bacon and mushrooms, the richest variation.

Alongside the signature dish, volunteers serve a traditional menu: fusilli with meat sauce, homemade ravioli and cavatelli, stew, mixed roasts, grilled sausage, sweet zeppole, and local wine. The long outdoor tables, the queue in front of the grills, and the bustle between the stalls are as much a part of the experience as the food itself.

Music, children, and village atmosphere

Every evening, from the opening of the stalls around 8:00 PM, the festival continues with live music and entertainment: songs, folk music groups, and shows enliven the festival area until late at night. For families, a play area with inflatables is set up for the little ones, making the event suitable for those arriving with children. Admission is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls.

A festival built by volunteers

Behind the four evenings is the I Ragazzi di Caiazzano Association, which has organized the event for decades with the voluntary work of its members and the residents of the village. It is this aspect—the careful organization, the hospitality, and the authenticity of the products served—that is most often cited by the local press as the reason for the festival's success, which has grown over time to become a benchmark for fans of genuine local festivals.

Sassano and the Vallo di Diano

Sassano is located at an altitude of about 490 meters, on the eastern slope of the Vallo di Diano, in the territory of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. It is a town of stone houses, cultivated fields, and pastures, also famous for its spring blooms and a gastronomy that revolves around cheeses, meats, and homemade pasta. The Caiazzano festival effectively opens the season of summer events in the village, which continues in the first days of August with the Feast of San Gaetano da Thiene, the local patron saint, featuring processions, a band, concerts, and fireworks.

Why it's worth the trip

Those who arrive in Caiazzano do not find a manufactured festival, but a community celebration: popular prices, local products, village people at the stoves, and a square that fills up every evening. For those visiting Cilento or the Vallo di Diano at the end of July, it is one of the best opportunities to taste caciocavallo where it is produced, without intermediaries.