Porziuncola - Fusilli and Pecorino Cheese Festival

The Porziuncola, the festival of festivals in the Sannio region

Every year, between late July and early August, the village of Ceppaloni (province of Benevento, Campania) comes alive for the Porziuncola - Fusilli and Pecorino Cheese Festival. Piazza Carmine Rossi and the alleys of the historic center fill with long tables, mouth-watering aromas, and live music: it is the event that local press has long defined as the most awaited of the Sannio summer, drawing thousands of visitors from across the province and beyond over four nights.

A fair with 15th-century roots

The Porziuncola did not start as a simple village fair. Its origins date back to the 15th century, when Alfonso of Aragon granted the feudal lords of Ceppaloni the right to hold a market once a year. The fair was named Porziuncola because it coincided with the Perdono d'Assisi (Pardon of Assisi) feast, an indulgence linked to the small Franciscan church of the Porziuncola and, locally, to the presence of the Santissima Annunziata convent overlooking the main square. In 1808, the King of Naples Joachim Murat formally authorized the Municipality of Ceppaloni to hold the fair from the last day of July to August 1st. Only in the second half of the 20th century did the Pro Loco add the fusilli and pecorino cheese festival to the ancient market: since then, the formula has remained unchanged, continuing to combine devotion, rural trade, and community celebration.

Handmade fusilli, pecorino, and fried pizza

The signature dish is handmade fusilli, rolled one by one around a metal rod by local volunteers and served with a slow-cooked meat ragù. Alongside them, you will find pecorino cheese from the Sannio region, also served au gratin, and the famous Ceppaloni fried pizza—the montanara—which has gained a loyal following over the years. The food stalls are managed entirely by Pro Loco volunteers, transforming the square into a large country-style area with outdoor seating and continuous service throughout the evening.

• Handmade fusilli with meat ragù
• Local pecorino cheese, also au gratin
• Ceppaloni-style fried pizza (montanara)
• Wines and typical products from the Benevento area

Cippofest: folk music from Central and Southern Italy

The artistic side of the Porziuncola has its own name, Cippofest, and is under the artistic direction of Luigi Blaso. Every evening, starting at 9:30 PM, the stage in Piazza Carmine Rossi hosts groups and soloists who bring the sounds and rhythms of the central-southern tradition to Ceppaloni: tammurriate, tarantelle, saltarelli, dance songs, and repertoires of Campanian and Irpinian folk music. This is not generic entertainment, but a true festival dedicated to the research of oral traditions, followed by an audience that returns year after year.

Seminars, rituals, and agricultural fair

Surrounding the concerts, the Pro Loco builds a broader cultural program. In the early afternoon of the fair, an agricultural and craft market is held, featuring local producers; during the main evenings, there are dance and percussion seminars dedicated to the traditions of Central and Southern Italy, open to those who want to understand the difference between a saltarello and a tammurriata. The religious heart of the event remains, with the Pardon of Assisi Mass celebrated during the days of the indulgence. Furthermore, Ceppaloni is a City of Truffles and preserves a medieval castle that dominates the Sabato Valley: a visit to the village pairs naturally with the festival.

Why it is worth the trip

The Porziuncola is one of those cases where an Italian festival works exactly as it should: a humble, identity-rich product—handmade pasta and sheep's cheese—placed at the center of a celebration that is simultaneously an ancient fair, a religious rite, and a music festival. For those visiting inland Campania in summer, it is the most direct way to understand what the Sannio region means in terms of food and community. Entry to the area is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls.