Paccozza Festival

Paccozza, the signature fresh pasta of Pesco Sannita

The Paccozza Festival is the summer highlight that defines Pesco Sannita, a small town of just under two thousand inhabitants in the Province of Benevento, in the heart of the Sannio region, Campania. The undisputed star is the paccozza: a dough made of durum wheat semolina, water, and salt, rolled by hand and cut into irregular triangles without precise measurements, ensuring every piece is unique. This rustic pasta shape, originally created to avoid wasting leftover homemade dough, has evolved into a distinct, recognizable product throughout the Sannio region.

From 2006 to today: a domestic tradition turned into a festival

Until a few decades ago, paccozza was only prepared in home kitchens and remained virtually unknown outside the village. It was the Pro Loco of Pesco Sannita that brought it to the public square in 2006, launching the festival with the clear goal of protecting the product and raising its profile. The initiative was a success: since 2016, fresh packaged paccozza has even reached store shelves, and the event has earned the Sagra di Qualità mark from UNPLI, a recognition awarded by the National Union of Pro Loco to festivals that meet strict criteria for authenticity, food safety, and local promotion.

Piazza Umberto I becomes the village dining hall

The heart of the festival is Piazza Umberto I, set up with covered tables and benches. Guests eat seated, elbow-to-elbow with the locals, served by Pro Loco volunteers. The menu follows the logic of a traditional complete meal—appetizer, main course, side dish, and fruit—with paccozza served in traditional peasant-style sauces: tomato and basil with grated pecorino, meat ragù, or mushrooms. This is followed by Sannio meat dishes, from local sausages to spit-roasted meats, seasonal sides, and August watermelon, all paired with local wine.

Folk music, folklore, and August evenings

Alongside the tastings, the Pro Loco organizes an entertainment program every year: live folk music, traditional dance groups, and performances that bring the square and the town center to life until late in the evening. There are also stalls featuring local products and handicrafts, and among the innovations introduced in recent years, a takeaway service for those who prefer to enjoy their paccozze at home.

Pesco Sannita and the Sannio to discover

Pesco Sannita is located about 11 kilometers north of Benevento and about 70 kilometers from Naples, at an altitude of 393 meters, in a landscape of hills cultivated with wheat, vineyards, and olive groves. It is just a few minutes from Pietrelcina, the birthplace of Saint Pio, and a short distance from the villages of the Tammaro Valley: the festival is perfect for an August weekend that combines the gastronomy of Sannio with the area's religious and natural itineraries.

Tips for your visit

• Arrive in the evening: stalls usually open after 7:00 PM, once the August heat subsides.
• Check dates and times on the Pro Loco channels before leaving, as the schedule may be subject to minor adjustments.
• Bring cash: at village festivals, card payments are not always available.
• Park on the outskirts of the center, as the square and central streets are closed to traffic.
• The village is small: if you want to stay overnight, it is best to book in Benevento or Pietrelcina.