Pastoral Festival

The Pastoral Festival of Rendinara

In the heart of the Valle Roveto, perched on the western slope at over 900 meters above sea level, the village of Rendinara — a mountain hamlet of the Municipality of Morino, in the province of L'Aquila — hosts the Pastoral Festival every year, also known as the Ricotta Festival. It is one of the most cherished traditional festivals in this corner of Abruzzo, created to preserve the memory of an ancient trade: that of the shepherd, which for centuries has defined life in these mountains between pastures, flocks, and transhumance.

Live milk processing

The most anticipated moment of the day is the live production of fresh ricotta and the typical "piccione" cheese, crafted according to the methods and timing passed down by the shepherds of the Roveto Valley for generations. The public can follow every step up close, from curdling to whey cooking, and taste the ricotta while it is still warm: a ritual that tells the story of the hardship and wisdom of pastoral civilization better than any words.

Food stalls

The festival is also a great feast of local flavors. Among the specialties served at the food and wine stalls are:

• pecora "agl cottur" (stewed mutton), the iconic dish of pastoral cuisine;
• the essential Abruzzo arrosticini (lamb skewers);
• penne all'amatriciana and grilled mutton;
• local cheeses and typical products, accompanied by the valley's wines.

Music, workshops, and excursions

Alongside the gastronomy, the day offers a rich calendar of activities for adults and children alike: experiential workshops designed for kids, re-enactments of rural life from the past, and folk music with traditional accordions. For nature lovers, there are e-bike excursions and horseback rides along the trails surrounding the village, at the gates of the nearby Zompo lo Schioppo Nature Reserve.

A village to discover

The event takes place in the picturesque Sant'Antonio Area, an ideal setting at the foot of the Ernici Mountains. Organized by the Pro Loco of Rendinara, the Pastoral Festival is much more than a food fair: it is an opportunity to rediscover an authentic village in the Abruzzo hinterland and to experience a day suspended between past and present, where the local community opens its doors to visitors with its traditional hospitality.