Certosa Village
The summer cultural arena at the Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula
About Certosa Village
A summer festival in Europe's largest charterhouse
Each summer, the Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula, nestled in the heart of the Vallo di Diano in the province of Salerno, transforms into an open-air cultural arena. This monastic complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest of its kind in Europe, opens its cloisters, courtyards, and gardens to Certosa Village, a festival bringing concerts, theater, dance, crafts, and local gastronomy to the deep south of Campania.
The concept is as simple as it is ambitious: to restore the monument to the community's daily life while providing the Vallo di Diano with its first true arena for major events. Audiences don't just watch a show; they wander through the village, dine, watch artisans at work, listen to young musicians on the 'Palco Libero' (Open Stage), and then head into the Arena for the evening concert.
A village before a festival
The heart of the event is the village itself, which opens in the late afternoon with free admission. Highlights recurring each evening include:
- CertosArte: an arts and crafts market featuring live demonstrations by master craftsmen from the Vallo di Diano;
- Diano Street Food: street kitchens showcasing typical products from the Vallo di Diano and Cilento, paired with regional wines;
- Palco Libero: a space dedicated to emerging local artists who perform before and after the main shows;
- VR Room and Aerial Arts: immersive virtual reality experiences and aerial dance performances on concert nights;
- workshops, inflatable games, and activities for children, including a dedicated family evening.
The experience is rounded off by a lounge in the Certosa gardens, hosting meetings, presentations, and discussions on the cultural and tourism future of the Vallo di Diano.
Arena Performances
The program features renowned Italian artists, blending singer-songwriter music, Neapolitan classics, comedy, and dance-theater. The 2026 edition, running from July 28 to August 5, featured Fiorella Mannoia with her project dedicated to Fabrizio De André and Ivano Fossati, Vincenzo Salemme, Massimo Ranieri, and Carolina Benvenga, who headlined a special evening for children. Alongside ticketed shows, the festival offers free events in the Great Cloister, such as the JBC Band's tribute to Ornella Vanoni.
From the 2025 debut
Certosa Village was founded in 2025 by a group of young locals from Padula who believed in the potential of hosting performances within a monument without compromising its integrity. The first edition, spread over four August evenings, brought stars like Stefano De Martino, Gaia, Rovazzi, Serena Rossi, and Sal Da Vinci to the Certosa, attracting over 20,000 visitors and significantly boosting attendance at the monument itself. This success paved the way for a longer, more structured second edition.
Padula and the Vallo di Diano
Padula is located in the far south of the province of Salerno, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Beyond the Certosa, the town preserves a historic center perched on a hill, the early Christian baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, and a museum dedicated to Joe Petrosino, the Italian-American policeman born here. The surrounding Vallo di Diano offers the Pertosa-Auletta Caves, the villages of Teggiano and Sassano, park trails, and, just over an hour's drive away, the beaches of Cilento: the festival thus serves as a gateway to the entire region.
Organizers
The festival is promoted by Certosa Village Srl Società Benefit in collaboration with the Municipality of Padula, the management of the Certosa di San Lorenzo, and local associations and volunteers. Artistic direction is led by Stefania Capobianco, while the project was conceived by Tony Anania, Luca Paladino, and Gianluca Vegliante. Significant support is provided by local economic entities, starting with Banca Monte Pruno.
Certosa Village — edition 2026
Certosa Village 2026
The festival doubles in size compared to its debut: nine days of programming from July 28 to August 5, 2026, six evening shows, and a village open every afternoon inside the Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula, in the province of Salerno.
The lineup alternates ticketed Arena events with free evenings in the Great Cloister, with a special focus on families and emerging artists from the Vallo di Diano. Surrounding the shows, the CertosArte arts and crafts market, Diano Street Food kitchens, Palco Libero, VR Room, and aerial dance performances remain active daily.
The event is organized by Certosa Village Srl Società Benefit, with artistic direction by Stefania Capobianco and support from the Municipality of Padula and local economic partners.
Programme Certosa Village 2026
Tuesday, July 28
Village opening with DJ set from 7:00 PM and, at 9:00 PM in the Great Cloister, the Romeo & Juliet Project, a dance-theater production inspired by Lindsay Kemp's style. Free admission (CertosArte is not active on this date).
Wednesday, July 29
At 8:30 PM in the Arena, the Carolina Summer Party with Carolina Benvenga: music, games, and meet & greet for children. In the village: workshops, inflatables, aerial dance, and street performers. Evening dedicated to families, no Palco Libero.
Thursday, July 30
At 9:30 PM in the Arena, Fiorella Mannoia with Fiorella canta Fabrizio e Ivano - Anime Salve, a project dedicated to Fabrizio De André and Ivano Fossati on the 30th anniversary of the album. In the village: VR Room and aerial dance performances.
Friday, July 31
At 9:15 PM in the Great Cloister, Nero Avorio - Senza Fine, a candlelight concert by the JBC Band paying tribute to Ornella Vanoni. Free admission.
Monday, August 3
At 9:30 PM in the Arena, Vincenzo Salemme with Lo spettacolo della mia vita in... E fuori nevica!, a theatrical narrative blending career anecdotes and comedy.
Wednesday, August 5
Grand finale at 9:30 PM in the Arena with Massimo Ranieri and Tutti i sogni ancora in volo, a show weaving together song, theater, and storytelling.
Daily in the village
- Open from 5:00 PM on concert nights, from 7:00 PM on other days.
- Info Point active from 9:00 AM.
- CertosArte, arts and crafts market with live demonstrations.
- Diano Street Food with typical Vallo di Diano products and Campanian wines.
- Palco Libero for emerging artists, VR Room, and Aerial Arts.
- Garden lounge with meetings and presentations.
Highlights Certosa Village 2026
- Fiorella Mannoia on July 30 with 'Anime Salve', a tribute to De André and Fossati.
- Massimo Ranieri on August 5 with 'Tutti i sogni ancora in volo'.
- Vincenzo Salemme on August 3 with his theatrical storytelling show.
- The family evening on July 29 with Carolina Benvenga.
- Two free events in the Great Cloister: the Romeo & Juliet Project and the candlelight tribute to Ornella Vanoni.
- The daily village experience featuring crafts, local street food, and aerial dance inside a UNESCO monument.
Prices Certosa Village 2026
Practical information — Certosa Village
Location
Certosa di San Lorenzo, Viale Certosa, 84034 Padula (SA), in the Vallo di Diano. Main performances are held in the Arena set up inside the complex, while free-entry evenings take place in the Great Cloister.
Getting there
- By car: A2 'Autostrada del Mediterraneo', exit Padula-Buonabitacolo, just minutes from the Certosa. Parking is available in the area in front of the complex.
- By train: The most convenient stations are Sapri and Sicignano degli Alburni, connected to the Vallo di Diano by bus and taxi; regional bus lines serve the area from Salerno and Naples.
- By plane: Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi or Naples Capodichino airports, then take the A2 motorway.
Tickets
Entry to the village is free. Tickets are required for Arena shows and can be purchased via TicketOne or at the Certosa di San Lorenzo box office. Some evenings in the Great Cloister remain free until capacity is reached.
Useful Tips
- Arrive early: the village opens in the late afternoon and is worth exploring for at least an hour before the show.
- Wear comfortable shoes: courtyards and cloisters feature ancient stone paving.
- Combine your evening show with a daytime visit to the Certosa, which is open to the public with its own schedule.
- For those traveling from afar, the Vallo di Diano offers farm stays and B&Bs in Padula, Teggiano, Sala Consilina, and Montesano sulla Marcellana.
Contacts
Email: [email protected] — Official website: www.certosavillage.com
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Where does it take place — Certosa Village
Certosa di San Lorenzo
Viale Certosa, 84034 Padula