Podolica Veal Spit-Roast Festival

A festival born around the grill

In the heart of the Upper Sele Valley, in the province of Salerno, the Municipality of Laviano hosts one of the most beloved festivals in the Campanian hinterland every summer. The Podolica Veal Spit-Roast Festival was created to promote a resource that here is not just folklore, but a real economic driver: the breeding of the Podolica cattle breed, a historic presence in the pastures of the Southern Apennines. The Lavian Village APS association, supported by the Municipality, has transformed a local tradition into an event capable of attracting visitors from all over Campania and neighboring regions every year.

The growth of the event is reflected in the number of editions: the fourth was held in August 2023, the fifth in 2024, the sixth in 2025, and the seventh is scheduled for August 11th and 12th, 2026. A short but steady journey that has made the festival one of the cornerstones of the Laviano Ferragosto celebrations.

Podolica veal, the absolute star

Podolica veal is not like other meats. The Podolica is an indigenous cattle breed, hardy and suited to free-range grazing on the Apennine slopes: a farming choice that yields flavorful meat and maintains a direct bond with the territory. At the Laviano festival, the cooking process becomes the main spectacle, with spits turning slowly over the embers for hours, right before the visitors' eyes.

Around this signature dish, a culinary journey is built that tells the story of the Upper Sele Valley and the Upper Tanagro:

• Spit-roasted Podolica veal, slow-cooked over an open flame according to tradition
• Caciocavallo and cheeses from the Campanian Apennines
• Homemade bread, seasonal side dishes, and local wines
• Traditional local peasant recipes
• Street food stalls and a bar area open throughout the evenings

Two evenings of music, DJ sets, and color parties

The festival goes beyond just food. Every evening, starting at 8:00 PM, the square comes alive with live music, performances, and entertainment, continuing late into the night with DJ sets and color parties. The 2025 edition, for instance, featured the folk music of I Cumbariell del Liscio and a concert by Armonia Italiana, dedicated to tarantellas and Southern Italian repertoires.

Next to the stage, local producers and businesses showcase their food, wine, and artisanal excellence: a way to introduce visitors to what this part of Campania produces year-round, not just during the two days of the festival.

The Villaggio Antistress in Campo Piano

The venue is an integral part of the experience. The Villaggio Antistress, in the Campo Piano area, is an open-air space immersed in greenery just outside the town, with ample areas for dining, the stage, and games. This is where the spits, food stalls, and children's inflatables are concentrated, in a format that works well for both families and groups of young people staying until late at night.

Laviano and the Upper Sele Valley

Laviano is a small mountain town in the Province of Salerno, on the eastern edge of Campania, near the border with Basilicata. It is a land of forests, pastures, and scenic roads, far from the most beaten tourist paths of the coast: this is precisely why the August festival takes on a value that goes beyond gastronomy, becoming an occasion for the town to come together and showcase itself to those arriving from outside.

The organizers express it with an effective phrase: a square that is not just a place, but a sense of belonging. The festival is designed as a moment for intergenerational meeting, territorial promotion, and strengthening the sense of community in a hinterland area that faces the issue of depopulation all year round.

An event for all ages

Admission is free, which is one of the reasons for its success: you can arrive early with children, take advantage of the games and entertainment, dine on the signature dish, and then stay for the music. Those who prefer a quieter pace will find the best atmosphere in the early evening hours; those looking for the real party wait for the midnight DJ set.