La Magnarella

La Magnarella, the Tufillo food festival

In the heart of summer, the small village of Tufillo, in the province of Chieti and nestled in the middle Trigno valley, transforms into one large open-air dining room for La Magnarella. The name derives from the dialect term magnà (to eat) and perfectly summarizes the soul of the evening: a community dinner celebrating the genuine flavors of traditional Abruzzese country cooking and the joy of coming together.

A village tradition

La Magnarella is one of the most anticipated events of the Tufillo summer calendar, organized by the Tufillo Pro Loco, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2026. The evening is deeply rooted in the village's folk culture: local women knead, cook, and serve traditional dishes while the streets and squares of the historic center fill with residents and visitors. It is a festival that needs no grand stages: its strength lies in its authenticity, sharing, and deep bond with the territory.

The flavors of the Trigno

The absolute star is the local cuisine, which also makes Tufillo famous thanks to the nearby Cavatelli Festival, another pillar of the village's summer. At La Magnarella, you can savor traditional Abruzzese dishes: handmade fresh pasta, slow-cooked meat sauces, and local specialties paired with regional wines. Each course tells the story of a community that has built its identity on shepherding and agriculture.

A village to discover

La Magnarella is also the ideal opportunity to explore Tufillo, a medieval village clinging to a rocky spur in one of the wildest stretches of the Trigno valley. Not to be missed is the Church of Santa Giusta, a national monument with its late-Gothic-Renaissance portal, and the archaeological exhibition dedicated to the artifacts of Monte Farano, evidence of an ancient settlement. An authentic corner of inland Abruzzo, far from mass tourism routes, where tradition and landscape blend together.

An event for everyone

The evening is part of a rich summer program that the Municipality of Tufillo and the Pro Loco offer from June to September, featuring festivals, shows, tournaments, book presentations, and cultural initiatives. However, La Magnarella remains the most iconic appointment: a simple and sincere village dinner where you can taste the truest Abruzzo and experience the warm hospitality of a small community.