Cavatiello and Goat Festival

A village festival in the heart of the Sele Valley

The Cavatiello and Goat Festival is one of the historic gastronomic highlights of Contursi Terme, a town of just over three thousand inhabitants perched on a hill about 250 meters above sea level, overlooking the Sele Valley in the province of Salerno. For years, the municipality has included it in its official list of local festivals, alongside the Lagana Festival: two events that tell the same story, namely the deep bond between this corner of Campania and a cuisine made of flour, water, patience, and local produce.

Cavatiello, the handmade pasta

The undisputed star is the cavatiello, a type of handmade fresh pasta common in the Salerno hinterland and throughout Southern Italy. It is a small cylinder of dough shaped by "hollowing" it out with the fingertips or a small iron rod, creating a groove that holds the sauce perfectly. It is a humble pasta by definition, made only of semolina and water, with no eggs: in the homes of the Sele Valley, it was—and in many families still is—prepared on a wooden pastry board, often in good company. During the festival, the cavatiello is served in several versions, as every family recipe has its own unique sauce variation.

Goat, the meat of pastoral tradition

The other symbol of the festival is goat meat, the centerpiece of a pastoral cuisine that has never gone out of style here. In the inland areas between the Picentini Mountains, the Alburni, and the Sele Valley, goat farming has supported the local economy for centuries, and goat meat—slow-cooked and seasoned with aromatic herbs and garden vegetables—has remained the dish for special occasions. Pairing it with cavatiello creates a complete traditional meal: a first course of homemade pasta followed by a second course of local meat.

Three evenings of tasting and shows

The event spans three evenings. As noted in the official records of the Municipality of Contursi Terme, during the event, "the product is prepared and tasted in various ways": cavatiello and goat are presented in multiple recipes and pairings, allowing visitors to compare different interpretations of local cuisine during the same festival. The food stalls are accompanied by varied entertainment, following the tried-and-tested formula of Campanian village festivals, where music and performances keep the tables lively until late at night.

The local five-a-side football tournament

One element distinguishes this festival from many others in the province: the five-a-side football tournament between local teams that takes place alongside the gastronomic evenings. It is a detail that speaks volumes about the nature of the event, which was born as a moment of community bonding rather than a tourist showcase: hamlets, neighborhoods, and groups of friends challenge each other on the pitch and then meet at the tables, in a blend of sport and conviviality typical of summer festivals in the Salerno hinterland.

Contursi Terme, a thermal village in the province of Salerno

Those arriving at the festival will find much more than just a food event. Contursi Terme is best known for its thermal waters, whose properties were documented by ancient authors, including Pliny the Elder: the Bagni di Contursi area, along the valley floor, still hosts thermal establishments and resorts frequented all year round. In the historic center, perched on the hill, you can find the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, while the town's civil calendar revolves around the patronal feast of San Donato, celebrated in August.

When it takes place

The festival is traditionally held in the summer, in August, when the town fills with residents returning for the holidays and guests of the thermal baths. The exact dates are usually announced shortly before the event by the Municipality and local associations: an official calendar for 2026 has not yet been published. It is therefore advisable to check the dates and program before traveling.

Why it is worth visiting

• Two iconic products in a single festival: handmade fresh pasta and goat meat from the pastoral tradition.
• Three evenings with different recipes, to taste multiple interpretations of the same dish.
• A five-a-side football tournament between local teams that turns the festival into a community gathering.
• The opportunity to combine the visit with the thermal baths of Contursi and a historic center overlooking the Sele Valley.