Gusta Minori

Gusta Minori: the village that becomes a stage

Every late summer, Minori, a small town on the Amalfi Coast in the Province of Salerno (Campania), transforms for a few evenings into an immersive, widespread theatre. Gusta Minori is not your typical food festival: it is a narrative journey that winds through the alleys, squares, churches, and gardens of the historic centre, where short theatrical scenes, dance, music, and poetry alternate with gastronomic stops. Mayor Andrea Reale has described it as a form of "storytelling of culture and territory" rather than just a local village fair.

Two parallel paths: art and palate

The well-established formula relies on two itineraries that intertwine along the same evening stroll:

• The Paths of Art — a series of scenic tableaux, each lasting about twenty minutes, repeated in a continuous loop throughout the evening so that the public can move freely from one stop to the next without being tied to a schedule.
• The Paths of Taste — food and wine stations set up by local restaurateurs and artisans, where tastings can be purchased individually at each stand.

Over the years, the artistic stages have involved the town's landmark sites: the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, the imperial-era Roman Villa, Palazzo Gambardella, Piazza Cantilena, the Calata Ponte, the historic pier, and the Lungomare California overlooking the sea.

A history spanning nearly thirty years

The first edition dates back to 1997, the same year the Amalfi Coast was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list; it was inaugurated by Peppe Barra, who later became an honorary citizen of Minori. By its twenty-fifth anniversary, the organization had already hosted over 460 performances involving more than 120 actors. The artistic direction has long been entrusted to Gerardo Buonocore, who creates the festival's immersive and multimedia installations, often built around a unique theme for each edition.

Minori's cuisine on the table

The gastronomic chapter is the natural counterweight to the artistic one. The absolute stars are the 'ndunderi alla minorese, ancient-style gnocchi made with flour, milk or ricotta, egg, and grated cheese, recognized as one of the town's signature products. Alongside them, you will find homemade pasta, fresh fish, fried cuoppo, fried pizza, salt cod, porchetta, and traditional coastal lemon desserts—the pastry shop of Sal De Riso, a native of Minori, is a regular presence—as well as artisanal liqueurs from the coast.

Why it's worth the trip

• The historic centre of Minori is compact and almost flat: the entire route can be easily walked.
• The scenes are short and repeated, so you don't need to arrive at a specific time to see them all.
• During the festival evenings, the town remains lively until late at night, with enhanced sea connections from other coastal towns.
• It is a unique opportunity to discover the Roman Villa and the Basilica of Santa Trofimena in an unusual, nocturnal setting.
• The village is also the starting point of the Path of the Lemons, which connects Minori to Maiori through citrus terraces.

Towards the thirtieth anniversary

Following the twenty-ninth edition in 2025, dedicated to the theme of beauty and eros, Minori is looking ahead to the thirtieth anniversary of the event. For the summer of 2026, the municipal administration announced that, pending approval from the Campania Region, a 55-minute film dedicated to Gusta Minori has been produced entirely with private funds. However, the dates for the new edition have not yet been made official: it is best to follow the Pro Loco di Minori channels and the official Facebook page of the event for the programme announcement.