Castelli Ceramic Craft Fair

The heart of Abruzzo's ceramics

The Castelli Ceramic Craft Fair is the most important summer event in Castelli, a small town in the province of Teramo nestled at the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain range in Abruzzo. Castelli is universally recognized as one of the great historical centers of Italian ceramics: between the 16th and 18th centuries, a school of majolica flourished here that became famous throughout Europe, with masterpieces still preserved in major museums worldwide. Every summer, the village renews this legacy by opening the doors of its workshops and transforming its streets and squares into a grand showcase of ceramic craftsmanship.

A tradition spanning over fifty years

The event began in the 1960s and has long since surpassed its sixtieth edition, establishing itself as one of the longest-running fixtures of the Abruzzo summer. The goal, reaffirmed by the Municipal Administration that organizes it, is to promote traditional Castelli ceramic products and support the town's economic and social fabric. For weeks, exhibition stands host the works of master potters, from famous decorated majolica to everyday objects, allowing visitors to get an up-close look at the techniques, colors, and motifs that make Castelli's production unique.

Beyond ceramics: music, art, and nature

The fair is the hub of a rich summer calendar that blends various forms of expression. Throughout the summer, there is a succession of art exhibitions, concerts and musical performances (ranging from jazz to classical music), literary presentations, dialect theater, and film screenings. There is no shortage of hiking excursions on the trails of the Gran Sasso organized by the CAI, as well as gastronomic events in the surrounding hamlets, such as the mortadella festival in Colledoro. A traditional moment of local identity is the plate-tossing event from the Via Roma viewpoint, a symbolic gesture linked to the Castelli Ferragosto celebrations.

A village to experience

Visiting Castelli during the event means immersing yourself in a village that has made ceramics its identity: the artisan workshops, the Ceramic Museum, the majestic church of San Donato with its majolica ceiling, and the landscape of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park provide the backdrop for days that combine art, culture, nature, and flavors. The Castelli Ceramic Craft Fair remains the best opportunity of the year to discover this authentic corner of inland Abruzzo.