Festa della Castagna di San Massimo

A chestnut festival at the foot of the Matese

When autumn colours the woods of the Matese, San Massimo (province of Campobasso) lights up its Chestnut Festival. The village, located a few kilometres from the renowned ski resort of Campitello Matese, transforms Piazza Marconi into a large festival space dedicated to the fruits and flavours of the season.

The flavours of the mountains

The star is, of course, the chestnut, served as fragrant roasted chestnuts, but the food stalls offer much more: polenta, gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and truffles, hung caciocavallo cheese grilled over embers, sandwiches, and mulled wine to warm up the evenings. This is the authentic and abundant mountain cuisine of the inner Molise region, to be enjoyed with friends while listening to live music that enlivens the square until late at night.

A growing festival

Born just a few years ago, the San Massimo Chestnut Festival has grown rapidly to become an anticipated event of the Molise autumn, complete with a free shuttle service to facilitate visitors' arrival. Organized by the Pro Loco of San Massimo, it is the perfect opportunity to discover this corner of the Matese, amidst nature, tradition, and good food.