Sagra al Borgo

One of the oldest festivals in the Alto Casertano region

The Sagra al Borgo has been held since 1975 in Pietramelara, a town in the province of Caserta, Campania, and is considered one of the longest-running events in the Alto Casertano area. The original concept was the brainchild of local historian Domenico Caiazza, and since then, the organization has been managed by the Pro Loco Pietramelara APS, which brings the festival back within the historic center's walls every year. 2026 marks the 52nd edition, scheduled from Friday, August 28th to Sunday, August 30th.

The medieval village as a stage

The heart of the festival is the ancient village of Pietramelara, a Norman-era urban layout organized radiocentrically around a rectangular tower, standing about fifteen meters high with walls over two meters thick. Uphill alleys, concentric rings of terraced houses, and the Chapel of San Nicola on Via Sotto Torre create a backdrop that lights up with voices and atmosphere for three nights.

During the event, the historic center becomes a continuous path of taverns, wine cellars, and artisan stalls: you can walk from alley to alley tasting food, listening to music, and watching traditional crafts being performed. There is no single stage; the entire village acts as the theater.

The rustic cuisine of Terra di Lavoro

The table is the center of the festival. In the village taverns, local rustic dishes are served, prepared according to ancient recipes by the town's women: hearty first courses, grilled meats, local cured meats and cheeses, bread baked in wood-fired ovens, and old-fashioned desserts. Among the festival's signature dishes are pasta e fagioli, gnocchi, sausages, and pork chops, all served with local wine.

• Rustic traditional first courses
• Grilled meats, sausages, and pork chops
• Cured meats, cheeses, and wood-fired bread
• Desserts prepared according to traditional recipes
• Local wine and typical products of the Alto Casertano

Folk music, songs, and dances

Beyond the gastronomy, the Sagra al Borgo is above all a celebration of folk music: Campanian folk groups, tarantellas, and traditional dances accompany the public through the alleys until late at night, joined by costumed performers who evoke the town's past. The experience is rounded out by local craft exhibitions and tastings of typical products, from wine and oil to cheeses and honey.

New features for the 2026 edition

For the 52nd edition, the Pro Loco has announced two new features. The first is the opening for Sunday lunch, which was previously reserved for evenings only. The second is the «Degustatio alla Torre», a guided tasting led by a sommelier at the foot of the medieval tower. The evenings remain the highlight, with the village illuminated and the stands opening at night.

Pietramelara and its surroundings

Pietramelara lies at the foot of Monte Maggiore, between the Medio Volturno and the Matese massif, in an area of the Caserta province rich in historic villages. The town is mentioned in documents dating back to the 10th century and retains a highly recognizable medieval heritage, starting with its tower and the network of alleys surrounding it. The festival is the defining event for the community and attracts visitors from all over the Terra di Lavoro every year.

Why visit

Those looking for an authentic festival will find a formula here that has remained true to itself for half a century: no grand staging, just an entire village becoming a tavern and a stage. It is an ideal occasion for a late-summer evening in Campania, with the chance to visit the historic center and the tower before dark, then settle in for dinner among the taverns.