Gargano Podolica Meat and Caciocavallo Festival

A festival that tells the soul of the Gargano

The Gargano Podolica Meat and Caciocavallo Festival is one of the most anticipated and cherished events of the summer in Carpino, a small village in the Province of Foggia, nestled in the green heart of the Gargano, in Puglia. Every year, in early August, the festival officially kicks off the long summer season in Carpino, drawing residents, tourists, and food lovers from all over Italy to Piazza del Popolo.

The stars of the table

The heart of the festival is the Podolica meat, grilled to tender, flavorful perfection, and above all, the Podolica caciocavallo, often called "the king of Gargano cheeses." These products come from the semi-wild breeding of the Podolica cow, a rustic breed perfectly adapted to the arid, scrub-covered pastures of the Gargano plateau. Its milk, though produced in small quantities, is incredibly rich in aromas, creating a caciocavallo with an intense and unmistakable taste, making it one of the most iconic traditional food products of Puglia.

• Grilled Podolica meat, cooked according to local tradition
• Gargano Podolica caciocavallo, the territory's signature cheese
• Other typical products and local Carpino specialties
• Local wines from the Cantina Basile

Folk music and conviviality

The tasting experience is accompanied by live folk music: in recent editions, the square has come alive to the rhythm of Figli di Puglia, with tarantellas, songs, and dances that turn the evening into a grand community celebration. Starting at 8:00 PM, Piazza del Popolo transforms into an open-air culinary laboratory where the flavors, history, and people of the Gargano come together.

The context: the Carpino summer

The festival traditionally opens a busy calendar of events. In the following days, Carpino hosts the famous Carpino in Folk Festival, a national benchmark for folk music, the Fava Bean and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Festival, and the patronal celebrations of San Rocco, featuring the Palio di San Rocco. The Podolica Meat and Caciocavallo Festival is therefore the first delicious chapter of a summer rich in tradition and folk culture.

An event for everyone

Promoted by the Municipality of Carpino together with the Pro Loco of Carpino, the festival is a perfect opportunity to discover the authentic gastronomic tradition of the Gargano in a familiar and convivial atmosphere, ideal for those visiting Puglia in summer who are looking for a genuine experience away from the most touristy circuits.