Pecora alla Callara Festival

The Pecora alla Callara Festival in Castel del Monte

In the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, the village of Castel del Monte, in the province of L'Aquila, hosts one of the most beloved gastronomic festivals in the Abruzzo mountains every summer: the Pecora alla Callara Festival. The event, usually held in mid-August throughout the streets and squares of the historic center, attracts visitors from across the region and beyond, drawn by the intense aroma of mutton simmering slowly in the open air.

Pecora alla callara, the iconic dish of Abruzzo's pastoral heritage

The pecora alla callara (or "alla cottora") is much more than just a recipe: it is a true ritual of pastoral culture. Mutton is cooked for hours in large copper cauldrons — the callare — placed over open fires, combined with aromatic herbs, garlic, tomatoes, and celery. The slow cooking process tenderizes the meat and releases aromas that tell the story of the shepherds of old. At the festival, the mutton is served with crusty homemade bread, rustic side dishes, and local wine.

Castel del Monte, the village of shepherds

For centuries, Castel del Monte has been a symbolic town of Abruzzo's shepherding and transhumance traditions. From here, flocks set off along the Tratturo Magno, the ancient grassy path recognized as a cultural heritage site that connected the Gran Sasso mountains to the plains of Puglia. This pastoral vocation has gifted the village with excellent products such as the Canestrato di Castel del Monte, a protected raw-milk pecorino cheese, as well as ricotta and marcetto. The festival is therefore also a way to rediscover a gastronomic and human heritage layered over the centuries.

What to expect at the festival

• Tasting of pecora alla callara cooked in large cauldrons
• Food stalls featuring local products and regional cheeses
• Artisan markets with Abruzzese specialties
• Live music and folk performances
• Entertainment and traditional games for adults and children

Included in the village's summer festival calendar — which also hosts the famous Night of the Witches in August — the Pecora alla Callara Festival is the perfect opportunity to combine fine dining, tradition, and the discovery of one of the most evocative villages in the Abruzzo Apennines.