Cornetto and Maritozzo Festival

A sweet festival in the heart of the Bari Murgia

Every early September, the historic center of Castellana Grotte, in the province of Bari and the heart of Puglia, fills with the unmistakable scent of butter, sugar, and leavened dough. The Cornetto and Maritozzo Festival brings Largo Porta Grande to life with stalls laden with freshly baked pastries, attracting families, curious visitors, and pastry lovers from across the Bari Murgia and beyond.

The tradition of Chantilly Pasticceria

The event was born from the passion of Chantilly Pasticceria, a historic family-run bakery founded in Castellana Grotte, which has made this festival its signature event since the 1990s. With over thirty years of history, the gathering has become a local institution: a moment when the artisanal craft of sourdough and slow leavening leaves the workshop to be showcased in the square, featuring tastings, new creations, and classic recipes.

Over thirty pastry varieties

The heart of the festival is naturally the pastry stall, which offers more than thirty varieties of cornetti, maritozzi, and brioches every year. Alongside the great traditional classics, there are special creations designed specifically for the event:

• Cornetti with various creams and fillings, and the classic French croissant;
• Maritozzo with whipped cream, the sweet symbol of the event;
• Brioches and krapfen in numerous versions, from chocolate to fruit flavors;
• Vegan and lactose-free options to cater to all palates.

Each edition brings its own innovations: from "Nuvola" brioches in Tiramisu, Buena, and Dark versions, to Pan Suisse with chocolate cookies and mango cream, up to the delicious "Trullo Anniversario," a tribute to the local identity.

Between patronal feasts and popular festivals

The Cornetto and Maritozzo Festival is not an isolated event: it is part of the rich early September calendar in Castellana Grotte, intertwining with the town's patronal feasts and two other beloved local events, the Chicken and Rabbit Festival and the Caroseno Fair. The result is an entire weekend dedicated to taste, conviviality, and popular tradition, with the streets of the center lively until late in the evening.

An event to experience in the square

The winning formula has remained the same for over thirty years: quality artisanal pastries, a festive atmosphere, and the pleasure of gathering in the square. For those visiting Puglia during this period, the event is also an opportunity to discover Castellana Grotte, world-famous for its spectacular Grotte di Castellana, and to savor the genuine hospitality of a village in the south-east of Bari.