Cape Festival

March in Lignano is Cape Time

When the bathing season is still far off, Lignano Pineta comes alive with one of its most beloved festivals: the Festa delle Cape, a gastronomic fair dedicated to mollusks and fish from the Upper Adriatic. Born in 1984 from the initiative of professional fishermen, it is now an unmissable early spring event in this Friulian seaside resort.

The Stars: Razor Clams

The "cape" that give the festival its name are the cappelunghe (razor clams), mollusks that live buried vertically in the sand. Served grilled, they are the undisputed stars of the event, along with pevarasse (local clams), grilled, breaded, or 'in saor' sardines, fried calamari, stewed cuttlefish, and cod. A true celebration of Adriatic seafood cuisine.

Seafood Flavors and Friulian Wines

Accompanying the fish dishes are the great white wines of Friuli: Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Sauvignon, perfect for enhancing the delicate flavor of the mollusks. The atmosphere in Piazza Marcello d'Olivo is that of conviviality and festivity typical of seaside festivals, with kitchens open for lunch and dinner.

A Charitable Festival

In addition to good food, the Festa delle Cape has a charitable soul: managed by the association A.P.S. Al Mare with volunteer staff, it donates its profits to charities such as LILT, Caritas, and local associations. Eating well to do good: this is the spirit that has made this Lignano Pineta event special for over forty years.