Sagra della Crapiata
The ancient festival of the Vicinato and of the cereal and legume soup in the Sassi
About Crapiata Materana
The soup, symbol of Matera
Crapiata is one of the most iconic dishes of Matera's peasant cuisine: a humble soup prepared by cooking together broad beans, borlotti beans, chickpeas, grass peas, lentils, and wheat, the leftovers from the year's stores. The Sagra della Crapiata celebrates this dish every August 1st, in the alleys of the Sassi, transforming a recipe born of necessity into a grand collective ritual.
The festival of the Vicinato
Crapiata is an ancient festa del Vicinato (festival of the neighbourhood community), the group of houses facing the same courtyard that characterized life in the Sassi. It was celebrated at the end of the harvest, after the religious celebrations dedicated to the Madonna della Bruna, the city's patron saint: each family brought a handful of their own legumes and cereals, which were cooked together in a large cauldron and shared by all. A gesture that embodies the profound sense of solidarity and community of Matera.
A living tradition since 1972
Since 1972, Crapiata in the Sassi has been a popular tradition carried on by Nino Festa and his friends in the Sasso Barisano, one of the city's longest-standing traditions. Today, the event takes place in multiple districts: on the evening of August 1st, the tasting is held in both Sasso Barisano (at the small church of Sant'Antonio Abate) and Sasso Caveoso (in via Bruno Buozzi, at the small square of Madonna dell'Adris), often accompanied by folk music and wine tasting.
The Sassi, a natural stage
Experiencing Crapiata means immersing yourself in the authenticity of Matera, the city of the Sassi and Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026. Amidst the millennia-old UNESCO World Heritage stones, the festival preserves the convivial spirit of the Vicinato, on one of the most cherished evenings of the Materan summer.
Crapiata Materana — edition 2026
For 2026, the Sagra della Crapiata renews its appointment on August 1st, one of the most cherished dates of the Materan summer. In the evening, in the districts of the Sassi, the community gathers around the large cauldrons to cook and share the crapiata, following the ancient ritual of the Vicinato.
As in previous years, the tasting is likely to be held in several locations within the Sassi, from Sasso Barisano to Sasso Caveoso, often accompanied by folk music and wine tasting.
Programme Crapiata Materana 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the district committees closer to the event. The traditional structure includes:
- Evening of August 1st: preparation and cooking of crapiata in large cauldrons;
- Sasso Barisano: tasting near the small church of Sant'Antonio Abate (historic Crapiata of Nino Festa);
- Sasso Caveoso: tasting in via Bruno Buozzi, at the small square of Madonna dell'Adris;
- Accompanying events: folk music and wine tasting.
Highlights Crapiata Materana 2026
Prices Crapiata Materana 2026
Practical information — Crapiata Materana
Practical information
How to get there: Matera is connected to Bari by the FAL railway line; by car, it can be reached from the SS99 from Altamura or the SS7 from Taranto. The festival takes place in the Sassi, which are reachable on foot from the city centre.
Tickets: the tasting of crapiata is generally free or by donation, according to the arrangements of the different districts.
Where to stay: Matera offers hotels, B&Bs, and charming accommodations carved into the Sassi.
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Where does it take place — Crapiata Materana
Sassi di Matera (Sasso Barisano e Sasso Caveoso)