Cerealia - Carlantino Wheat Festival

Cerealia, the Wheat Festival of the Monti Dauni

Cerealia - Carlantino Wheat Festival is an event that celebrates rural heritage and the ancient bond between humanity and wheat in the Municipality of Carlantino. Located in the Daunian Sub-Apennines in the Province of Foggia, at the northernmost tip of Puglia, the village overlooks the waters of the Occhito reservoir. The festival takes its name from the ancient Cerealia, the festivals that the people of the Fortore Valley dedicated to Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and the harvest, as a gesture of gratitude for the crops.

A journey through ancient myths and wheat stalks

The heart of the event is the archaeological trek to the San Chirico site, a guided route that climbs the hills overlooking the village and the Occhito dam. Along the way, amidst seeds and stalks, the history of ancient cults and the agricultural customs of this territory is recounted in a continuous dialogue between past and present. Local girls wear costumes inspired by Ceres, crafted from vintage linen by community members and a local training association, evoking the mythological imagery tied to the land and its fruits.

A convivial dinner in the village

Upon returning from the excursion, the village of Carlantino comes alive with a convivial dinner featuring local products, organized by the Pro Loco of Carlantino. The evening continues with live music, featuring original compositions by musician Franz Sassone, and folk dances by the Ethnos association of Lucera, which bring the rhythms and movements of tradition back to the stage.

Carlantino wheat and sustainable agriculture

Beyond its festive and social dimension, Cerealia pursues a precise cultural goal: raising awareness of native crops and ancient agricultural customs, with a particular focus on the local wheat known as Carlantino wheat. The festival promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, inviting visitors to rediscover the rural roots of the Monti Dauni and to value the region's produce.

An event to rediscover the Monti Dauni

Immersed in a landscape of hills, wheat fields, and water, Carlantino offers with Cerealia a unique opportunity to discover one of the lesser-known corners of Puglia. The event combines trekking, archaeology, myth, music, and gastronomy into a single summer evening, perfect for families, hikers, and lovers of folk traditions.