Fusillo and Local Flavors Festival

Handmade fusilli, the soul of the festival

Some dishes tell the story of a region better than any history book. In the Municipality of Olevano sul Tusciano, in the province of Salerno, that dish is the fusillo: a fresh pasta shape worked by hand, rolled one by one around a thin metal rod, using a technique passed down through generations in the families of the Tusciano Valley. Every summer, the Salitto district dedicates the Fusillo and Local Flavors Festival to this pasta, making it one of the most beloved culinary events in the Olevano summer calendar in Campania.

The Salitto fusillo is not an industrial product: it is prepared according to ancient recipes and served in the most classic version, with homemade sauce, slow-cooked ragù, or local meat, as well as more modern interpretations designed for visitors. The result is a highly successful blend of rustic authenticity and culinary pleasure.

Two evenings in the square with stalls and markets

The festival typically takes place over two consecutive evenings in the heart of the district, around Piazza Francesco Spirito, which fills with long tables, lights, and aromas for the occasion. The food stalls open at 7:00 PM and offer, alongside fresh fusilli:

• cured meats and cheeses from local producers;
• seasonal vegetables from Olevano gardens;
• traditional homemade desserts;
• tastings of local wines and craft beer.

Surrounding the food area are craft and local product markets, allowing you to take home a piece of the festival, as well as musical entertainment, usually provided by Campanian folk groups that accompany the evenings until late. The atmosphere is that of a rare, authentic village feast: no large stages, just community, chatter at the tables, and children playing in the square.

A long-standing summer tradition

Culinary festivals in Salitto are not a recent novelty. Back in the mid-2000s, as part of the Olevano summer program, the district square hosted a festival dedicated to fusilli prepared by local women and served with local wine and prosciutto, followed a few days later by the ciambotta festival, a traditional vegetable dish. Since then, the fusillo event has become the highlight of the Salitto August: in 2023, the event was held on August 19th and 20th, just as it was in 2025, maintaining the same two-evening format.

Salitto, Olevano, and the Tusciano Valley

Salitto is one of the hillside districts of Olevano sul Tusciano, a town in the Piana del Sele nestled between the Picentini Mountains and the coast. It is a compact village with a Vanvitellian-style palace that once belonged to local noble families and views opening over the valley. The municipal territory also houses one of the most extraordinary sites in the province of Salerno, the Cave of Saint Michael the Archangel, a Lombard-era rock sanctuary carved into the mountain, a destination for visits and devotion. Those who choose the festival as an excuse for a trip will find rock art, hiking trails, farms, and the beaches of the Gulf of Salerno just a few kilometers away.

What to expect from the 2026 edition

As of today, the organizers have not yet released the official dates or the program for the 2026 edition: available sources document the August 19th and 20th, 2025 edition with certainty. Given the regularity of the event, it is reasonable to expect a new culinary weekend in the second half of August, but until confirmation arrives from local channels, it is best to check before traveling.