Festa del Maiale Paesano

Three nights of festivities on the Spinosa hill

The Festa del Maiale Paesano is one of the most anticipated culinary events of the summer in Roccadaspide, a town in the province of Salerno overlooking the Calore Valley at the gateway to the Cilento region in Campania. The event takes place in the Spinosa district, within the open-air grounds of Il Marrone, spanning three consecutive evenings in mid-August—a time when the town is bustling with holidaymakers, returning emigrants, and visitors from neighboring villages.

Launched in 2023 by the Uniti per Massano association under the patronage of the Municipality of Roccadaspide, the festival has quickly gained a loyal following. By 2025, it reached its third edition, maintaining its winning formula: rustic cuisine, live music, and a classic village-fair atmosphere. It is not a festival manufactured for mass tourism, but a genuine local gathering open to all—which is precisely its charm.

The "paesano" pork: the star of the table

The festival's name says it all: the focus is on "paesano" (village-raised) pork, bred locally according to traditional Cilento farming practices. In past editions, the food stalls have offered a complete culinary journey, from appetizers to dessert:

• Appetizers featuring a selection of local cured meats and cheeses;
• Zitoni with pork ragù, the festival's signature pasta dish, slow-cooked just like in the old days;
• Main courses including porchetta, sausage, burgers, and roast pork;
• Sfrionzola, a Cilento specialty consisting of pan-seared pork with peppers;
• Side dishes like fries or salad, followed by fruit, dessert, and local wine.

Everything is served at long outdoor tables by the association's volunteers—a model that combines fundraising, social connection, and the preservation of culinary heritage in Cilento.

Live music, dancing, and a funfair

Each evening is complemented by entertainment. Previous editions have featured a mix of live bands, ballroom dancing, local dance school performances, and more modern events like a foam party with a DJ set. A funfair is set up for children every night, making the festival a convenient evening destination for families vacationing in the Cilento hinterland.

Uniti per Massano: a community in action

Behind the event is the volunteer work of the Uniti per Massano association, created to revitalize and promote the hillside districts of Roccadaspide. The festival is the most visible expression of their efforts: months of preparation, outdoor kitchens, and dozens of people working the stoves and serving tables. The Municipality of Roccadaspide has supported the initiative with its patronage since the very first edition.

Roccadaspide: between castles, chestnuts, and the Calore Valley

Visitors to the festival can take the opportunity to explore the area. Roccadaspide is dominated by its medieval castle and is strategically located between the Sele Plain, the Alburni mountains, and the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The territory is famous for its PGI Roccadaspide Chestnut, as well as its olive oil, legumes, and, of course, the traditional pork processing that served as the primary food reserve for generations of local farming families.

A few minutes' drive away, you can reach the villages of the Calore Valley and the Castelcivita Caves, while the temples of Paestum are just over half an hour away. Combining a day at the beach or an archaeological tour with an evening at the Festa del Maiale Paesano is the best way to experience the true spirit of an August in Cilento.

When to go

The festival traditionally takes place in mid-August, just after Ferragosto, and lasts for three evenings. The stalls open in the evening; it is advisable to arrive early to secure a table, as attendance has grown year after year.