Partenio Chestnut Festival

The Partenio chestnut takes center stage in Cervinara

Every autumn, the Borgo Castello of Cervinara, in the province of Avellino, becomes the stage for the Partenio Chestnut Festival, one of the longest-running food and wine events in the Valle Caudina. The fruit that gives the festival its name grows on the slopes of the Partenio massif, where chestnut groves define the landscape and have supported the rural economy of Irpinian communities for centuries.

The festival is more than just a culinary event: it is a moment when the town tells its own story, highlighting its farming roots and the deep bond with the mountain that overlooks it. For three days, the alleys, small squares, and stairways of the village are filled with scents, music, and visitors arriving from all over Campania.

Borgo Castello, the setting for the event

The choice of Borgo Castello is no coincidence. The ancient core of Cervinara, nestled at the foot of the castle ruins and overlooking the valley, offers a natural backdrop of stone, arches, and narrow streets: here, the stands, exhibitions, and stages fit into the village spaces without altering them, and the festival route becomes an open-air guided tour. The event unfolds along Via Trescine and the surrounding districts, with an itinerary that can be easily explored on foot.

What to eat

The chestnut is the true queen of the festival and is offered in all its variations, from the simplest preparations to recipes passed down by local families for generations:

• Roasted chestnuts cooked on the spot, the symbol of the festival
• Boiled chestnuts and traditional peasant cuisine preparations
• Chestnut-based desserts, from creams to baked goods
• Typical Irpinian and Valle Caudina dishes, accompanied by local wines
• Traditional products, preserves, and specialties from local producers

The food and wine stands are largely managed by local associations and producers, making the tasting a direct way to learn about the short supply chain of Irpinia.

Folk music, folklore, and performances

Alongside the culinary aspect, the festival has always offered a program of folklore shows and itinerant music: groups roaming the alleys with songs, tammorre, folk dances, and traditional Campanian rhythms, as well as evening concerts, street bands, and widespread entertainment. Recent editions have featured show cooking with guest chefs, flag-waver performances, and convivial moments that keep the party alive until late at night.

Traditional crafts and artisan work

One of the distinctive features of the event is the promotion of ancient crafts: the village hosts artisan demonstrations and stations dedicated to techniques that tell the story of daily life in the past, alongside local craft markets. This section is highly appreciated by curious visitors, as it allows them to observe gestures and techniques that have disappeared elsewhere up close.

Nature: the Partenio chestnut groves

The festival is also an opportunity to discover the environment surrounding Cervinara. The territory is part of the Partenio Regional Park, and the chestnut groves climbing the slopes are crisscrossed by trails and mule tracks. During the event, nature walks and visits to the woods are generally offered, completing the story of the chestnut by starting from where it is born.

An event for families

The Partenio Chestnut Festival is designed for audiences of all ages: workshops, games, and activities dedicated to children accompany the program on Saturday and Sunday, while the pedestrian-friendly village layout makes the visit comfortable even with little ones.

Over forty years of history

The event has well exceeded forty years of existence: the 2024 edition was the 43rd and the 2025 edition the 44th, testifying to a rare continuity in the landscape of Campanian festivals. The organization is managed by the Associazione Il Mastio with the patronage of the Municipality of Cervinara and the support of local bodies, including the Comunità Montana del Partenio - Vallo di Lauro and the Campania Region.

Cervinara and the Valle Caudina

Cervinara is located at the western end of the province of Avellino, in Campania, along the Valle Caudina. Its location makes it reachable in a day trip from Naples, Caserta, Benevento, and Avellino, making the autumn festival one of the most popular events on the local calendar.