Pizza and Schiacciata Festival

A festival that smells of bread and solidarity

The Pizza and Schiacciata Festival is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of early September in the town of Valverde, a small center in the Metropolitan City of Catania nestled on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily. For over twenty years, the event has drawn families, curious visitors, and food lovers to Via Nino Martoglio, in the PEEP area, where ovens stay lit until late in the evening for an entire weekend.

Pizza, schiacciata, and pane condito

The heart of the festival is, of course, the pizzas, prepared on the spot by expert pizzaiolos and served hot, as well as the traditional Catanese stuffed schiacciate. Special attention is paid to the quality of the dough: alongside classic pizza, you can enjoy versions made with organic flours, ranging from kamut and 5-grain to whole wheat. There is also pane condito (seasoned bread), the specialty that gave its name to several editions of the festival, along with other typical Sicilian dishes prepared on-site.

Music and entertainment evenings

The evenings at the Pizza and Schiacciata Festival are brought to life by live music, dancing, and performances. Over the years, the lineup has featured cover bands, tribute acts, majorette performances in traditional Sicilian costumes, and entertainment moments designed for children, with a dedicated area for games and workshops. Stalls generally open around 8:00 PM, when the PEEP area fills with people and the village lights up with music.

A charity festival

The event is organized by the Fraternità della Misericordia di Valverde, a volunteer association that has been active in the area for over thirty years to support those in need. In exchange for pizza and schiacciata, visitors are asked for a small contribution: the entire proceeds of the festival are donated to support the Misericordia's activities. Eating a good pizza thus becomes a gesture of solidarity with the local community.

A late-summer appointment

With its atmosphere of friendship, joy, and conviviality, the Pizza and Schiacciata Festival represents one of the last great celebrations of the Valverde summer before the autumn return. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a village in the Catania hinterland, savor Sicilian street food, and support a volunteer organization deeply rooted in the territory.