Mondragone Bean Festival – Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Fagiolata in the Casale di Sant'Angelo

The Fagiolata is one of the most beloved events in Mondragone, a city on the Domitian coast in the province of Caserta, Campania. It takes place at the end of September in the Casale di Sant'Angelo, the ancient medieval district nestled on the slopes of Mount Petrino, beneath the ruins of the Rocca Montis Dragonis, and accompanies the festivities in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron saint venerated by the village community.

A tradition born in 1978

The idea was born in 1978, during a procession for Saint Michael: Antonio Taglialatela, known to everyone as "Tatonno," together with some friends, wanted to celebrate the district's identity through a simple dish, the bean, an evocation of peasant life and solidarity between neighbors. Since then, the festival has been held every year without interruption, reaching its 44th edition in 2025 and becoming a defining event for the entire city.

The ritual of beans and "curtiglie"

On the evening of the Fagiolata, the district is transformed: alleys, courtyards — the "curtiglie," as they are called around here — and house doorways are decorated and opened to the public. The beans, cooked according to ancient local recipes and offered in numerous variations, are served in traditional terracotta bowls and accompanied by other typical dishes and local wine, starting with Falerno del Massico, the most famous red wine in this part of Campania. It is not a fair with lined-up stalls, but a widespread hospitality: it is the families of the Casale who welcome visitors to their doorsteps.

Faith, historical pageant, and music

The religious component remains the central theme of the event: novenas, Eucharistic celebrations, and the procession in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel mark the days of the patronal feast. Alongside the devotional aspect, there is room for the historical pageant in costume with drums, banners, and clarions, folk games, and live shows that animate the squares and open spaces of the village. Over the years, the lineup has hosted notable concerts: in 2025, Eugenio Bennato performed in front of the Ducal Palace, with artistic direction entrusted to AR Concerti.

A village to discover

The Fagiolata is also the best opportunity to visit the Casale di Sant'Angelo, the original core of Mondragone, with its narrow streets, stone arches, and the church dedicated to the Archangel. In the richest editions, the lighting of the Rocca Montis Dragonis has kicked off the festivities, restoring to the old village for a few evenings the centrality it had before the city descended toward the sea. Those arriving from outside can combine the visit with discovering the Domitian coast, the Volturno plain, and the wineries of the Massico.

Why attend

• An authentic popular festival, born in 1978 and organized by the residents of the district
• Beans cooked according to ancient local recipes and served in terracotta bowls
• Courtyards and doorways of the medieval village open to the public
• Novenas, celebrations, and procession for Saint Michael the Archangel
• Historical pageant, folk games, and evening concerts
• Free admission and a great atmosphere of conviviality