Scaccia Rausana Festival

A festival for the scaccia, queen of Iblean cuisine

The Scaccia Rausana Festival is an event hosted by the Municipality of Ragusa, in Sicily, dedicated to one of the most representative products of the Iblean gastronomic tradition: the Ragusan scaccia. It is a type of durum wheat semolina focaccia, folded into multiple layers and filled with genuine local ingredients. The classic version, which gives the festival its name, is the scaccia co' pummaroru e cosacavaddu, prepared with tomato, basil, Monti Iblei PDO extra virgin olive oil, and Ragusano PDO cheese. This specialty has been awarded the De.Co. (Municipal Denomination of Origin) label by the Municipality of Ragusa, which protects its authentic recipe.

The 2026 summer edition in Marina di Ragusa

In 2026, the festival, now in its third edition, undergoes a major transformation: for the first time, it leaves the historic center and moves to the coast, to Marina di Ragusa, the province's most popular seaside resort. The events are spread across Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, Piazza Torre, and the Andrea Doria seafront, offering a culinary journey just steps from the sea. The initiative is supported by a 16,000-euro grant from the Sicilian Region, obtained through the "Sicilia che piace – Local Authorities – 2026" call for proposals, supplemented by 4,000 euros in municipal co-financing.

Tastings, workshops, and the culture of taste

The heart of the festival remains the scaccia, the star of tastings and preparation demonstrations led by local bakeries and masters. There is no shortage of moments dedicated to the history and culture of this specialty, with talks by industry experts. Highlights include:

• tastings of the Ragusan scaccia in various versions;
• live preparation demonstrations by local bakeries;
• "Little Scaccia Masters" workshops designed for children;
• a dedicated gluten-free area, set up in collaboration with the AIC (Italian Celiac Association);
• shows and musical entertainment in the evenings.

Music and evening atmosphere

The two evenings are brought to life by concerts and shows that accompany the tastings, featuring tributes and live music dedicated to the seventies, eighties, and nineties. The formula thus combines the promotion of an identity-defining product with the pleasure of a summer evening on the seafront, in line with the administration's desire to enliven the area throughout the season.

A tradition that spans the seasons

Alongside the summer event, the Scaccia Rausana Festival also features an autumn and winter version in the historic center of Ragusa, along Via Roma, where the event was born. In these editions, local bakeries, artisans, and food bloggers tell the story of the scaccia through exhibitions, workshops, and music, confirming the deep bond between this dish and the identity of the Iblean city.