Flavours of the Ancient Village

A stroll through the flavours of the Gargano alleys

The "Sapori dell'Antico Borgo" is one of the most cherished events of the summer in Rodi Garganico, a small town in the Province of Foggia perched on a rocky spur overlooking the sea, in the heart of the Gargano promontory. Every year, in early September, the historic seaside centre lights up with atmosphere, scents, and music to host a festival that is both a food and wine trail and a celebration of popular traditions.

The event leads visitors along a path that winds through the narrow alleys, stairways, and small squares of the old village, where white houses face the gulf. At every stop, you will find stands and tasting stations featuring Gargano culinary specialties, all while maintaining the intimate and authentic atmosphere of a town rediscovering its roots.

The flavours of the territory

The common thread of the event is the promotion of typical products from the Gargano and the Foggia hinterland: dishes prepared with local ingredients, traditional peasant and maritime recipes, and the excellence of a land defined by citrus groves, olive trees, and the sea. Rodi Garganico is famous for its citrus fruits, a historical local heritage, and the village setting provides the ideal backdrop for a slow, convivial journey through taste.

Folk music and dance

The beating heart of the evening is the performance of Gargano folk groups, who bring the rhythms of the tarantella, traditional songs, and folk dances into the alleys. Past editions have featured groups such as I Tarantolati, I Cantori di Civitate, I Podolici, Gargano Folk, and other ensembles from neighbouring towns, from San Giovanni Rotondo to Monte Sant'Angelo, and from San Nicandro Garganico to San Paolo di Civitate. The music accompanies the public from stop to stop, turning the tasting experience into a true village party.

A cultural project for the Gargano

The event is organised by the R.O.D.I. Cultural Association (Ricerca, Origini, Direzioni, Investimenti), which created the festival with the goal of promoting the Gargano territory by involving local socio-economic and cultural entities. The stated intent is to create positive synergies for the development of the village, fostering collaboration between the different souls of the Gargano and the recovery of the collective memory of the ancient seaside town.

Rodi Garganico and its village

Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Rodi Garganico is one of the pearls of the northern Gargano coast in Puglia. Its historic centre, with its unmistakable skyline of white houses perched above the sea, is a reason to visit in itself: the "Sapori dell'Antico Borgo" festival offers the perfect opportunity to discover it in a festive guise, amidst gastronomy, music, and traditions, on one of the most evocative evenings at the end of the Rodi summer.