Sagra do' Sciusciello Festival

A festival born to save our grandparents' bread

The Sagra do' Sciusciello is one of the longest-running gastronomic festivals in the Irno Valley; in 2025, it celebrated its 36th edition. It was born from a simple and somewhat stubborn idea: at a time when almost no families in Pellezzano were still making sciusciello, a group of enthusiasts decided to bring it back to the public square and share its story. This revival led to the creation of the Sagra do' Sciusciello Association, which still organizes the event and guards the recipe today. As a result, this bread, which is otherwise impossible to find, returns for a few days each year—its only window of availability.

What is a sciusciello?

It is not a calzone, not a pizza, and not a sandwich: the sciusciello is a humble dough made of flour, water, and salt, rolled thin and placed into a wood-fired oven. Upon contact with the open flame, the dough puffs up in seconds, filling with air to form its signature bubble; that 'breath'—or 'o sciuscio in the local dialect—gave the product its name. Once out of the oven, it is opened and filled. The oldest and most traditional version is seasoned with lard and pepper, but over the years, the festival has expanded its repertoire.

• Lard and pepper: the historic, essential, and savory recipe
• Pancetta and local cheeses
• Sausage and potatoes: the heartiest option
• Nutella and sweet fillings to end the evening

In the 2025 edition, a gluten-free version was also introduced, certified by the Italian Celiac Association of Campania: a detail that speaks volumes about how a local village festival can remain faithful to tradition while opening its doors to everyone.

Seven evenings in Piazza Giuseppe Di Vittorio

The heart of the event is the main square of Pellezzano, Piazza Giuseppe Di Vittorio, where the ovens and food stalls are set up. The dates are fixed and never change: from August 10th to 16th, covering the week leading up to Ferragosto and the day after. In recent editions, the stalls have opened in the evening, around 8:00 PM, with the crowd peaking after dinner as families, groups of friends, and visitors from Salerno and neighboring towns fill the square.

Music, dancing, and village atmosphere

Alongside the food, the festival offers live music, dancing, and performances every night. Past programs have featured a mix of ballroom and Latin American music, local bands, and the traditional concert by the town band on Ferragosto. It is the classic formula of a Campanian village festival: authentic, unpretentious, and with the stage just a few meters from the tables. There is no entry fee for the festival area; you simply pay for what you eat at the stalls.

Pellezzano, the Irno Valley, and Campania

The Municipality of Pellezzano is located in the province of Salerno, in Campania, just a few kilometers from the regional capital along the Irno Valley, the green corridor connecting Salerno to the Agro Nocerino and the hinterland. It is a territory of hillside hamlets—Capezzano, Coperchia, Capriglia—where the culture of wood-fired ovens and homemade bread was a daily staple for generations. Over the years, the Sagra do' Sciusciello has become a symbol of identity for the entire community, so much so that it is highlighted in the summer cultural initiatives promoted by the Municipality.

Tips for your visit

• The square is busiest between August 14th and 16th: if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, choose the earlier evenings.
• It is worth trying the classic version with lard and pepper at least once before moving on to the richer fillings.
• Parking in the center of Pellezzano is limited: it is best to arrive early or leave your car along the approach roads and walk.
• Before you go, check the association's social media channels: the evening program is usually published shortly before the event starts.