Montella PGI Chestnut Festival

A festival that tells the story of Irpinia through its chestnut

The Montella PGI Chestnut Festival is the autumn highlight that defines the calendar of the town of Montella, in the Province of Avellino, in the heart of the Alta Valle del Calore. For a few days between late October and early November, the entire historic center transforms into a vast trail of flavors dedicated to the product that has defined this mountain territory of Campania for centuries: the chestnut.

This is not just a food festival. The event is designed as a widespread village celebration where streets, porticoes, and squares simultaneously become a market, a stage, and a meeting place: you can walk from one stall to another following the scent of roasted chestnuts, stop to listen to a wandering band, or step into an exhibition set up in a historic palace.

The Montella PGI Chestnut, a recognized excellence

The chestnut grown on the slopes surrounding the town, at an altitude of about 560 meters, is one of the most prized in Italy. It obtained DOC status in 1987 and subsequently, in the 1990s, the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from the European Commission: a pioneering case for an Italian fruit and vegetable product. The festival was created precisely to promote the entire supply chain, from the chestnut groves to processing, and to show the public the difference between an ordinary chestnut and the one from Montella.

The gastronomic journey

The heart of the event is the network of stalls set up in the town center, which have exceeded one hundred in recent editions. The offering revolves around the chestnut, presented in all its forms, but also makes room for the rest of Irpinia's gastronomic heritage:

• roasted chestnuts prepared on the spot, the true symbol of the festival;
• traditional desserts and chestnut-based baked goods;
• typical dishes of Irpinian mountain cuisine;
• cheeses, cured meats, and other local products;
• craft stalls and local goods.

In past editions, the stalls have opened to the public as early as 10:00 AM, continuing until the evening.

Music, shows, and culture

Alongside the gastronomic aspect, the program features a rich calendar of entertainment. Folk music takes center stage with numerous groups alternating between evening concerts in the squares and wandering bands that roam the town, while cooking shows showcase traditional recipes. There are also exhibitions dedicated to the history and identity of Montella, as well as spaces designed for families, with workshops and shows for children.

A tradition spanning over forty years

The first edition dates back to 1977: since then, the festival has grown to become one of the most popular food and wine events in Irpinia and all of Campania, attracting thousands of visitors from across the region and beyond. The event is organized by the Municipality of Montella, with the support of the Campania Region and the Province of Avellino.

Why it's worth the trip

Those who visit Montella during this period find much more than just a festival: the town is surrounded by forests and chestnut groves that offer stunning autumn landscapes, and it preserves a remarkable historical heritage, from the Convent of San Francesco a Folloni, a national monument founded in the 13th century, to the heights overlooking the town. The festival is thus an excellent opportunity to discover a corner of inland Campania often overlooked by mass tourism.