Cilento Typical Products Festival

A festival born to tell the story of Cilento through its food

The Cilento Typical Products Festival is one of the most authentic summer events in the area. It takes place in the hamlet of Scalareta, in the municipality of Altavilla Silentina (Province of Salerno, Campania). Established in 2022 by the local administration, it has a simple and clear goal: to bring the products that define the region's gastronomic identity to the public square. It is not a single-theme festival dedicated to one dish, but a true collective showcase where producers from the Cilento hills and the nearby Sele Plain display—and offer tastings of—the fruits of their labor.

Where it takes place: Scalareta, between the Sele Plain and Cilento

Altavilla Silentina is a medieval village overlooking the Calore valley, strategically located between Eboli, Battipaglia, and the inland areas of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The festival is held in the new square of Scalareta, one of the municipality's scattered settlements: an intimate, open-air space that becomes the heart of village life during the July evenings. This setting perfectly reflects the event's formula: home-style cooking, shared tables, and music that continues late into the night.

What to taste

The common thread is typical Cilento products, many of which are protected or linked to historical agricultural supply chains. Among the specialties most frequently found at the stalls and on the themed menus:

• Extra virgin olive oil from the Cilento hills, one of the territory's signature products;
• Cheeses and dairy products: Podolico caciocavallo, mozzarella, and salted ricotta;
• Artisanal cured meats produced locally;
• Local grain bread and handmade pasta such as fusilli and lagane, the latter traditionally served with chickpeas;
• Traditional desserts: dried figs, zeppole, honey pastries, and mostaccioli;
• Local wines and artisanal liqueurs.

More than just food: folk music and crafts

The culinary experience is intertwined each evening with a program of performances. Past editions have featured live musical performances and folk groups, traditional dances, tammorra players, and street artists, alongside taste workshops, cooking demonstrations, and craft displays. The square and surrounding streets host craft markets with local goods, while activities, traditional games, and family entertainment are provided for children. The tammurriata and folk singing are not merely decorative: in the Salerno area, they are part of the same peasant heritage from which the products on offer originate, and this dual focus—table and town square—is what makes the event so distinctive.

When it is held

The festival is firmly scheduled for the second half of July and lasts for three days, from Friday to Sunday, with stalls opening at 7:00 PM. Documented editions include 2022 (July 22-24), 2024, and 2025 (both from July 19 to 21). For the following summer, dates are usually announced only a few weeks in advance through the municipality's channels and the organizing committees: it is therefore advisable to check official communications before traveling.

Why it is worth a visit

Those arriving in Cilento for the sea, Paestum, or hiking in the Alburni mountains will find a different, very non-touristy stop here: a village festival where the quality of the products matters more than the scenery, prices remain those of a local fair, and the language heard at the tables is still the local dialect. It is also a great starting point for exploring the agricultural territory of Altavilla Silentina, which, in addition to oil and dairy products, is known for its horticulture and melons, the star of another summer event in the municipality.