Pezzente Festival

The humble cured meat that became a delicacy

In Gorgoglione, a small village in the province of Matera perched on the heights of inner Lucania, there is a flavour that tells the peasant history of this land: pezzente. Humble in its origins — once prepared with the less noble parts of the pig — but rich in taste and memory, it is now considered a true delicacy and a symbol of the gastronomic identity of the territory. The Pezzente Festival, one of the most anticipated events of the Gorgoglione summer, is dedicated to it.

A festival in the 'village of the crazy'

Gorgoglione likes to define itself with self-irony as the village of the crazy, for that touch of madness, cheerfulness, and lightheartedness that animates its community. The festival, held in Piazza Zanardelli in the heart of the village, fully reflects this spirit: tastings of pezzente and traditional peasant dishes are accompanied by live music and entertainment that transform the evening into a great folk celebration.

Gorgoglione and its flavours

The Pezzente Festival is part of a rich summer calendar, curated by the Pro Loco and the Municipality, which celebrates Lucanian gastronomy and also includes the renowned Involtino Festival. Visiting Gorgoglione during these days means rediscovering the authentic flavours of the past and experiencing evenings of culture, territory, and conviviality, in a welcoming village immersed in the most genuine Lucania.