Olive and Salt Cod Festival

A festival born from the olives of Mount Tifata

In San Prisco, a town in the province of Caserta nestled on the slopes of Mount Tifata, the olive tree is more than just a landscape feature: for centuries, it has been the cornerstone of the local agricultural economy. On these limestone hills, the Aitana olive of the Tifatini Mountains is cultivated—a table variety with a rounded fruit that turns from pink to deep violet, featuring soft flesh and a slightly bitter taste. Today, it is listed in the Slow Food Ark of Taste due to the risk of extinction linked to its exclusively manual harvesting. From this agricultural identity, the Olive and Salt Cod Festival was born, designed to introduce visitors to the town's flavors and the territory that produces them.

Salt cod, the other star

Alongside the olives, the festival celebrates salt cod, an ingredient with a long-standing tradition in Caserta's cuisine that pairs naturally with local olives, following one of the area's most iconic recipes. The food stalls offer salt cod in its classic preparations as well as more creative versions, alongside first courses, main dishes, and fried specialties prepared using the traditional method, with plenty of oil to keep the inside tender. The result is a tasting journey that tells the story of the humble 'cucina povera' of the Terra di Lavoro without any tourist filters.

Two weekends, not one

The formula that has ensured the event's success is its distribution over two consecutive weekends in September, from Friday to Sunday: six evenings that allow for the management of large crowds while giving the town some breathing room. Recent editions have seen a true boom in attendance as early as the first weekend, with local reports mentioning thousands of visitors arriving from the neighboring towns of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Casagiove, and Caserta.

Music, stalls, and small-town atmosphere

The festival is about more than just food. The evenings are enlivened by live music perfect for dancing and singing, in a convivial setting that brings together families, groups of friends, and curious visitors. Admission to the area is free: you only pay for what you consume at the individual stalls, following the typical format of Campanian festivals that makes the visit accessible to everyone. Between one dish and another, there are stalls dedicated to local products, from brined olives to local extra virgin olive oil.

• Featured products: Aitana olives and brined olives, Tifatini extra virgin olive oil, salt cod in various preparations
• Format: outdoor food stalls, live music, equipped market area
• Audience: families, residents of the Agro Caleno, and visitors from the Caserta area
• Admission: free in previous editions

Who organizes it

The initiative was born from the idea of a group of local merchants close to the socio-cultural association Centro Studi – Progetto Futuro San Prisco, which has set itself the goal of promoting local products, healthy eating according to traditional principles, and in particular, San Prisco's olive growing. Over the years, the event has garnered the support of local entities, including cooperative credit banks of the Terra di Lavoro, establishing itself as a fixed appointment on the town's calendar following the patronal celebrations.

San Prisco and the Terra di Lavoro

Those arriving for the festival find themselves in one of the most history-rich areas of inland Campania. San Prisco preserves the Sacello di Santa Matrona, a paleochristian jewel with 5th-century mosaics, and is located just minutes from the Campanian Amphitheater and the Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the ancient Capua of the gladiators. A little further away are the Royal Palace of Caserta and the village of Casertavecchia: a festival weekend easily transforms into an itinerary through Roman archaeology, Vanvitellian Baroque, and peasant cuisine.

Tips for your visit

The festival evenings begin at sunset and continue until late: it is best to arrive early, especially on Saturdays, when queues at the most popular stalls grow long. September in the Campanian plains remains mild, but a light jacket for the evening is useful. Those who want to take home a souvenir can buy olives and oil directly from the producers present at the fair.