Le Terrate Aperte

Le Terrate Aperte: A journey into the flavors of Marsica

Le Terrate Aperte is one of the most iconic food and wine events in Villavallelonga, a small mountain town in the province of L'Aquila, set within the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. For two days, the historic village opens its terrate—the ancient cellars and courtyards carved into the rock, once the heart of rural village life—transforming them into stops on a culinary trail that winds through the stone alleys of the historic center.

An itinerary of ancient flavors

Each terrata offers a different specialty, prepared by local families and volunteers using recipes passed down through generations. Along the route, you can savor typical dishes of the Marsican and Abruzzese tradition:

• Frascaregli, a traditional peasant-style hand-scraped pasta;
• Gnocchi with lamb ragù, a staple of mountain cuisine;
• Quagghategghj and fresh pasta with legumes;
• Local cheeses, bruschetta, and polenta;
• Homemade desserts such as pizzelle, zeppole, and caggiunitt';
• Artisanal liqueurs made from infusions of mountain berries, herbs, and fruits (cornelian cherry, blackberry, wild mint, gentian).

Music, folklore, and culture

The gastronomic journey is accompanied by live music, folk performances, and traditional Abruzzese songs that fill the village streets with sound, color, and storytelling. The event is more than just a food festival; it is a way to rediscover the memory and identity of a mountain community deeply connected to its roots.

A village in the National Park

Villavallelonga is also known for the Festa degli Orapi and the winter edition of Le Terrate Aperte, held during the Christmas season. Its location in the National Park, surrounded by ancient beech forests and mountain trails, makes a visit the perfect opportunity to combine gastronomy, nature, and folk culture. The event, organized by the Pro Loco Villavallelonga, traditionally takes place in August, around the Ferragosto holiday, with free admission.

Le Terrate Aperte is an unmissable appointment for those looking to experience the most authentic side of Abruzzo—the small villages of the Marsica region, where cooking remains a collective ritual and the cellars tell the history of the town.