Matese Truffle Festival

A festival born around the black truffle of the Matese

The Matese Truffle Festival is the celebration that the Municipality of Prata Sannita, in the Province of Caserta (Campania), dedicates to the most precious product of its forests: the black truffle harvested on the slopes of the Matese Mountains. Here, truffle hunting is not a recent trend but a local craft, passed down through generations of hunters and families who know the right oak and hazelnut groves by heart. The festival was created to highlight this vocation, which remains little known outside regional borders in an inland area often overlooked by mass tourism.

Prata Sannita, the village hosting the festival

The evenings take place in the historic center, the ancient core gathered around the medieval castle and the stone alleys that wind down toward the Lete River. The setting does half the work: small squares, arches, portals, and courtyards naturally become open-air dining rooms. Walking from one stall to another means traversing the authentic village, not just a fairground set up for the occasion. Prata Sannita has a few thousand inhabitants, but during the festival, it transforms, welcoming visitors from across the province and neighboring regions, especially Molise.

What to eat

The Matese black truffle appears in almost every course, in pairings that alternate between traditional cuisine and more contemporary interpretations by local chefs. In past editions, the stalls have featured:

• fresh pasta dishes seasoned with truffle;
• meat-based main courses and traditional local peasant dishes enriched with truffle shavings;
• typical Matese products, from cheeses to cured meats;
• wines from the Campania region and craft beers;
• desserts and specialties to round off the evening.

The vibe is that of an authentic village festival: generous portions, affordable prices, and shared tables. Those arriving expecting a gourmet restaurant tasting will find something warmer and simpler, which is exactly why the event has built such a loyal following.

Live music and evening atmosphere

Alongside the culinary offerings, the festival features live music and entertainment in the village squares, with evenings that come alive after sunset and continue late into the night. The musical program changes every year, mixing local bands, folk music, and lighter performances designed for all ages, including families with children. The squares thus become one large shared space where people eat, listen, and connect.

From 2017 to today

The first edition dates back to August 2017, when the event—then simply titled the Black Truffle Festival—was held in Piazza Padre Pio on the initiative of the San Pancrazio Martire parish with the support of the municipal administration and the Matese Mountain Community. In subsequent years, the event grew, took on its current name of Matese Truffle Festival, and moved into the historic center, extending to four consecutive evenings. In 2025, the 6th edition was celebrated from August 7th to 10th.

When to go and how to plan

The event is traditionally held in the first half of August, in the days leading up to Ferragosto, when the village is already bustling with vacationers and locals returning home for the summer. We recommend arriving in the late afternoon: you will have time to visit the castle and the historic center in the best light and find a spot before the stalls open. Those with a full day to spare can combine the festival with a hike in the Matese Regional Park, among beech forests, the springs of the Lete, and trails that start just a few kilometers from the village.