Dining with the Byzantines

A Byzantine re-enactment in the heart of Abruzzo

Dining with the Byzantines is one of the most original historical re-enactments in Abruzzo. Every year, at the end of July, the medieval village of Crecchio, in the province of Chieti, transforms into an ancient citadel of the 6th-century Byzantine Empire. The rustic streets and squares of the historic center, in the shadow of the imposing Norman-era Ducal Castle, become a grand open-air stage illuminated by torches and lanterns, where men in armor, noblewomen, musicians, and costumed artisans carefully reconstruct the daily life of the era.

The history: Crecchio and the Byzantines

The event is rooted in the real history of the region. In the 6th century, ships from Constantinople docked at the nearby port of Ortona, and the Teatine Abruzzo was a frontier territory of the Eastern Empire. The narrative heart of the re-enactment is the historical pageant celebrating the deeds of Comes Vitaliano, returning from the Battle of Aternum (modern-day Pescara) against the Lombards. The nearby Museum of Byzantine and Early Medieval Abruzzo, housed in the Ducal Castle with its artifacts, mosaics, and coins, provides the scientific foundation for this evocative reconstruction.

The food and wine trail

The core of the festival is the itinerant cultural and gastronomic trail that winds through the streets and alleys of the village. At the refreshment points set up along the route, visitors can taste dishes inspired by medieval and Byzantine cuisine and sip spiced wine, in an itinerary that combines the flavors of the time with a historical setting:

• spiced meats and ritual flatbreads based on period recipes;
• aromatic wines and spiced drinks served in historic taverns;
• delicacies offered at multiple refreshment points distributed throughout the historic center.

Shows, pageants, and culture

Over the three evenings, the public can enjoy historical pageants and re-enactments, performances by jesters, minstrels, and street actors, ancient crafts, music, and dance. There are also spectacular ceremonial moments such as the Triumphal Procession, the evocative Trisaghion Ceremony, and audiovisual projections dedicated to aspects of Byzantine civilization, such as the medicine of the time. The festival also hosts the 'A Bride for the Emperor' competition and Byzantine Comics, dedicated to historical-themed graphic novels.

A recognized event

Promoted by the Archeoclub d'Italia APS - Crecchio Chapter, the event has received support over the years from the Crecchio Municipal Administration, the Province of Chieti, the Abruzzo Region, and heritage protection agencies. Today, 'Dining with the Byzantines' is a landmark event among Abruzzo's historical re-enactments, successfully combining cultural outreach, village revitalization, and gastronomic hospitality.