Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu Festival
Sicilian seasoned bread celebrated on the churchyard of San Paolo in Pozzallo
About Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu
A festival born from popular devotion
The Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu is one of the most heartfelt gastronomic events in Pozzallo, a seaside town in the province of Ragusa, on the extreme south-eastern tip of Sicily. The event takes place on the churchyard of the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, in the neighborhood of the same name, and is an integral part of the festivities that the community dedicates to its patron saint, Saint Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles, celebrated on June 29th together with Saint Peter.
Pani cunzatu, king of the evening
The heart of the festival is the pani cunzatu, literally "seasoned bread": a loaf of homemade bread served still warm and stuffed with the simple and generous ingredients of the Iblean land. The traditional recipe includes extra virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes, anchovy fillets, primo sale cheese, and a sprinkling of oregano. At the stalls, you can taste different variations, from the classic oil and oregano to the salted tomato version, accompanied by other typical local products. It is a humble dish, linked to the month of June, when wheat, oregano, and canning tomatoes ripen in Sicily.
Music, stalls, and village atmosphere
The evening opens with the inauguration of the food stalls by the parish priest and local authorities, followed by musical entertainment and live performances. There is no shortage of Sicilian folk groups enlivening the square with traditional dances and songs, while decorated carts and hay bales recreate the authentic atmosphere of Sicily from the past. The festival is part of a broader program of celebrations that, at the end of June, also includes the singing competition "Una voce per San Paolo" and the solemn procession of the saint's statue through the city streets.
An unmissable appointment in Pozzallo
Between the scent of freshly baked bread, the sea breeze, and popular devotion, the Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu is much more than a simple food festival: it is a moment of collective identity for the people of Pozzallo, who call themselves Sanpaulari. For the visitor, it is the perfect opportunity to discover a genuine corner of the province of Ragusa and the truest flavors of Sicilian cuisine.
Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu — edition 2026
The 29th edition
The 2026 edition of the Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu, the twenty-ninth, takes place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 8:30 PM on the churchyard of the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle. It is one of the key events of the festivities in honor of the patron saint, which in Pozzallo are held from June 25 to 29.
The evening program
- 8:30 PM — Opening and inauguration of the food stalls by the parish priest and local authorities
- Following — Tasting of pani cunzatu in its various versions (oil and oregano, salted tomato) and other typical local products
- In the evening — Musical entertainment, live shows, and animation with Sicilian folk groups
On the same days
The festival is set within the patronal calendar: on Sunday, June 28, the eighth edition of the singing competition "Una voce per San Paolo" is scheduled (from 9:00 PM), while on Monday, June 29, the day of Saints Peter and Paul, the solemn mass is celebrated, followed by the traditional procession through the city streets.
Programme Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu 2026
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — Churchyard of the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle
- 8:30 PM — Inauguration of the food stalls by the parish priest and local authorities
- Following — Opening of the Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu: tasting of Sicilian seasoned bread (extra virgin oil, fresh tomato, anchovies, primo sale, oregano) in various versions
- In the evening — Musical entertainment and live shows with folk groups and traditional Sicilian music
The complete details of the artists and the times of individual shows are released by the parish community in the days preceding the event via the official poster.
Highlights Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu 2026
Prices Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu 2026
Practical information — Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu
Where
Churchyard of the Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, San Paolo district, Pozzallo (RG), Sicily.
How to get there
By car: Pozzallo is accessible via the SS115; the nearest airports are Comiso (about 45 minutes) and Catania Fontanarossa (about 1 hour and 30 minutes). By train: Pozzallo station on the Syracuse–Modica–Gela line. The town is also served by the port, a hub for connections with Malta.
Admission and times
Admission is free. Food stalls open in the evening, approximately from 8:30 PM. The pani cunzatu and typical products can be purchased directly at the stalls.
Tips
Arrive a little early to find a spot: the evening is very popular. Take the opportunity to visit the Pozzallo seafront and the historic Torre Cabrera.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Sagra ro Pani Cunzatu
Sagrato della Chiesa di San Paolo Apostolo
Sagrato della Chiesa di San Paolo Apostolo, 97016 Pozzallo