San Marco in Festa (San Marco di Teggiano)

A village festival in the heart of the Vallo di Diano

San Marco in Festa takes place every year in mid-August in the San Marco hamlet of Teggiano, in the province of Salerno. Located in the Vallo di Diano, one of the most distinctive areas of inland Campania, this is not a large-scale regional festival, but an authentic village celebration. The heart of the event is the hamlet's square, which for three consecutive nights becomes the community's open-air living room, complete with chairs brought from home, food stalls, and children playing among the festive lights.

The event is organized by the Il Mosaico association, a local volunteer group that manages the programming, stalls, and entertainment. The formula has remained consistent over time: opening in the evening around 8:30 PM, with music and shows continuing late into the night, accompanied by continuous tastings at the food stands.

Stufati teggianesi, the signature dish

The true star of the festival is the stufati teggianesi (or Teggiano stews), a traditional local peasant dish and one of the few examples of sweet-and-sour flavors in the Vallo di Diano cuisine. It is prepared by layering spaghetti, cooked halfway, in a baking dish with dried wine grapes, anchovy fillets, oregano, olives, and plenty of bread crumbs toasted with oil and garlic, finished with a final layer of crumbs and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

The name comes from the ancient cooking method: the pan was covered and placed on the embers of the hearth, with more embers placed on the lid, almost like a stove (stufa). Traditionally, these stufati were eaten on lean days, particularly on Christmas Eve; finding them in the square in August is a rare treat that makes the San Marco festival a delicious occasion even for those who are not from Teggiano.

Music, dancing, and entertainment in the square

The evenings follow a simple and well-tested rhythm: live music, dancing, shows, and entertainment. There is plenty of space for children, with a play area and mascots, while the food stalls remain open throughout the evening, offering other local products and local wine alongside the stufati.

In past editions, the program has also hosted moments dedicated to the arts and talents of the Vallo di Diano: singing competitions for young performers, dance exhibitions by local sports associations, street painting workshops for children, and visits to the Roman mosaic linked to the church of San Marco, a little-known but precious heritage of the Teggiano area.

Teggiano, a village in the Vallo di Diano

Visitors to the festival will find the historic center of Teggiano just a few kilometers away, one of the best-preserved villages in the province of Salerno. Perched on a hill overlooking the Vallo di Diano plain, it preserves the Macchiaroli Castle, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, and a dense network of alleys, churches, and noble palaces. The town is also known for the historical re-enactment "At the Table of Princess Costanza," which takes place in August in the historic center: those visiting the area for Ferragosto can easily combine the two experiences.

Why it is worth visiting

• A unique and iconic dish, the stufati teggianesi, served on one of the few summer occasions of the year.
• An atmosphere of a genuine village festival, without tourist filters, with free entry to the square.
• Evenings suitable for families, with entertainment and a dedicated area for children.
• The opportunity to discover the Vallo di Diano, including the Certosa di Padula, the Pertosa-Auletta Caves, and the Cilento National Park.

When it takes place

The festival is traditionally held around Ferragosto (mid-August): the last editions took place from August 14th to 16th, starting at 8:30 PM in Piazza San Marco. The dates for the following edition are usually announced in the weeks prior on the social media channels of the Il Mosaico association and in the summer calendar of the Municipality of Teggiano.