Hidden Flavors in Villa Badessa

Hidden Flavors: The Arbëreshë Heart of Abruzzo

Hidden Flavors is the food, wine, and cultural festival that brings Villa Badessa—a small hamlet in the municipality of Rosciano, in the province of Pescara—to life every spring. The village preserves a unique heritage in Abruzzo: it is the only Arbëreshë (Italo-Albanian) community in the region, founded in 1743 by Albanian families from the villages of Piqeras and Lukovë who arrived under the reign of Charles of Bourbon. The event was created specifically to celebrate this dual identity, both Abruzzese and Albanian, which makes Villa Badessa a rare and fascinating destination.

A Journey Through Tastings and Traditions

The heart of the festival is Piazza Skanderbeg, named after George Castriota Scanderbeg, the Albanian national hero. Here, local exhibitors gather: farms, wineries, oil mills, dairies, breweries, and artisanal gelato shops offer tastings, pairings, and stories of tradition. Alongside Abruzzese delicacies, you will find traditional Albanian-Byzantine dishes, such as tepsi, a living testament to the Arbëreshë cuisine passed down here for generations.

Culture, Faith, and Memory

Hidden Flavors is about more than just taste. The Villa Badessa Cultural Association organizes guided tours of the Greek-Byzantine church of Santa Maria Assunta, which houses a precious 15th-century icon of the Odigitria, and the village museum, with forty-minute tours dedicated to Arbëreshë history and identity. It is a perfect opportunity to discover the Greek-Byzantine rite, which remains vibrant within the community linked to the Eparchy of Lungro.

Music and Workshops for Everyone

The day is enlivened by live music, featuring groups playing traditional Abruzzese folk music, and creative workshops for children, making the festival suitable for the whole family. As visitors stroll among the stands, surrounded by the scents of pecorino cheese, lamb, and traditional sweets, they experience the intimate and authentic atmosphere of one of Abruzzo's most unique villages.

Why Visit Hidden Flavors

• Discover the only Arbëreshë community in Abruzzo, just a short distance from Pescara.
• Taste both Abruzzese delicacies and Albanian-Byzantine dishes in one single event.
• Visit the Greek-Byzantine church and the museum with local guides.
• Experience a spring festival with a strong sense of identity, with free admission.