Prosciutto Festival and Mountain Feast

A mountain festival in the heart of Abruzzo

The Prosciutto Festival and Mountain Feast is one of the most deep-rooted summer events in the Municipality of Tornimparte, in the Province of L'Aquila, in the heart of Abruzzo. Organized by the Pro Loco Tornimparte since 1971, it is considered one of the oldest festivals in the L'Aquila region and is distinguished by a rare feature: it takes place entirely in the mountains, in the picturesque clearing of Villagrande, at the foot of Monte Ruella, along the Amiternina provincial road.

Origins and tradition

The event was born in 1971, the year the Pro Loco was founded, with the aim of promoting one of the most characteristic products of the territory: local prosciutto, cured according to recipes handed down from generation to generation. In the same year, the Mountain Songs Festival also came to life, among the first in Abruzzo, which still accompanies the festival today, giving voice to popular memory and the choirs of mountain communities. For over fifty years, the two initiatives have intertwined, combining taste, culture, and identity.

The taste of the mountains

The absolute star is the Tornimparte prosciutto, served in sandwiches, on platters, and in tastings accompanied by local bread, cheeses, and wines. Alongside it, the table offers the genuine flavors of Abruzzo mountain cuisine: the typical ndricoj soup with legumes and prosciutto sauté, fried pizzas, homemade pasta, sausages and grilled arrosticini, bruschetta, and homemade desserts. The stalls, with hundreds of covered seats, are open on the weekend for lunch and dinner.

Music, excursions, and entertainment

The traditional program alternates between gastronomic and cultural moments. On Sunday morning, the In the Footsteps of Hannibal excursion kicks off, a walk along the ridge suitable for all ages. Throughout the days, there are folk music concerts, performances by mountain song choirs, folk games, sports exhibitions, and spaces dedicated to children, including workshops and outdoor play activities.

A community event

Much more than just a festival, the Tornimparte Mountain Feast is a collective ritual that attracts residents, vacationers, and visitors from all over the region. The green landscape of the slopes of Monte Ruella, the coolness of the high altitude, and the warm welcome of the Pro Loco make this festival one of the most authentic summer experiences in the Abruzzo Apennines.