Sante Marie Chestnut Festival

The queen of autumn in Sante Marie

The Sante Marie Chestnut Festival is one of the most beloved autumn events in inland Abruzzo. Every year, on the first weekend of November, the historic center of the town of Sante Marie, in the Province of L'Aquila, comes alive to celebrate the chestnut, the iconic fruit of the Marsica woods. The event is among the oldest in Abruzzo dedicated to this product: the tradition has been handed down uninterruptedly since 1972 and, while it has evolved over the years, it continues to attract thousands of visitors.

The Chestnut Village

At the heart of the festival is the so-called Chestnut Village, set up within the village alleys. The ancient historic cellars are reopened and transformed into taverns, where the food and wine trail unfolds. At the tables, you can savor dishes of Abruzzese and Marsican cuisine: polenta, arrosticini, pallotte cace e ova, fresh tagliatelle with truffles, gnocchi, stew, and chestnuts, as well as homemade desserts, mulled wine, and the essential roasted chestnuts. There is also space dedicated to local crafts and typical products.

Nature, culture, and tradition

The festival is much more than a gastronomic event. The program includes walks and trekking in the chestnut groves and towards the Grotte di Luppa Nature Reserve, among the woods surrounding the town. In the village, you can visit the Brigandage Museum, explore historical collections, and admire the more than seventy murals decorating the houses, along with the famous panoramic 'Big Bench'. The streets of the center are filled with itinerant shows featuring fire-eaters, minstrels, entertainers, and street bands, while there is no shortage of play areas for children, live music, and performances by folk groups.

A community celebration

The Chestnut Festival is organized by the Pro Loco Sante Marie in collaboration with the Municipality of Sante Marie and local associations, and is considered a symbol of the bond between the Marsican community and its traditions. The event also maintains a strong sense of solidarity, with charitable initiatives supporting local causes. Entry is free, and parking for cars and campers is available at the town entrances, served by free shuttles to the center.

An authentic village in Marsica

Sante Marie is a small village in the mountainous Abruzzo region, nestled in the woods of western Marsica, not far from Tagliacozzo and the Valle del Salto. The festival offers the perfect opportunity to discover this authentic territory, amidst nature, history, and genuine flavors, during the most evocative time of the year.