Li Cillitt Festival

A pastry that tells the story of a wedding

The Li Cillitt Festival is the most anticipated event of the summer in Monteferrante, a tiny, perched village in the province of Chieti, in the heart of the Abruzzo hinterland overlooking the Sangro Valley. The absolute star is li cillitt, known as the "wedding pastry": small dough parcels filled with grape jam, black cherries, and cooked grape must, which were once prepared exclusively for weddings and communions. The recipe, passed down from mother to daughter, is jealously guarded by the local women, who return to kneading hundreds of these pastries just as they did in the past.

The tradition of the families of Monteferrante

What makes this festival truly authentic is the involvement of the entire community: most of the village families participate in the preparation of the cillitt, in an artisanal production that has exceeded thousands of pieces in the busiest years. It is a collective ritual that brings the ancient flavors of rural Abruzzo back to life and makes Monteferrante, for one night, the capital of simple and genuine sweetness.

The evening program

The festival winds through the streets of the historic center up to the village belvedere, featuring tastings of the traditional pastry and stalls dedicated to local Abruzzese culinary products. Alongside the festival, "The Collection of Wishes" takes place, showcasing drawings created by children and teenagers displayed along the village streets. On the nights around the feast of San Lorenzo, the Gruppo Astrofili Frentani sets up their telescopes at the belvedere for summer sky observation, blending culinary tradition with the magic of shooting stars.

An authentic village in Abruzzo

Included among the Borghi Ospitali (Hospitable Villages) of the Trabocchi Coast and its hinterland, Monteferrante offers visitors a stone historic center, quiet alleys, and panoramic views over the Sangro Valley. The Li Cillitt Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover this little-known corner of Abruzzo, amidst local hospitality, food and wine culture, and still-vibrant folk traditions.

When it takes place

The event is traditionally held in August, usually around the 10th of the month, during the summer evenings. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: it is recommended to check the official channels of the Municipality of Monteferrante as summer approaches.