Selinunte Sardine Festival

The Selinunte maritime festival

The Selinunte Sardine Festival is one of the most beloved gastronomic events of the summer in the municipality of Castelvetrano, in the province of Trapani, on the southwestern tip of Sicily. It takes place in late August in the charming seaside village of Marinella di Selinunte, just a stone's throw from the famous Archaeological Park, where the small harbor transforms for one night into a grand celebration space around fire and embers.

The 'ncannata and the grilling

The heart of the festival is the 'ncannata of sardines: in the afternoon, at the fish market, fresh sardines are skewered onto thin, pointed reeds, locally called spiti, following an ancient fishing tradition. In the evening, with the lighting of the embers on the west pier, the great arrostita (grilling) begins: hundreds of kilos of sardines are cooked over the coals and distributed to the public, accompanied by black bread, pane cunzatu (seasoned bread), couscous, and a glass of local wine.

An identity-defining product

The Selinunte sardine is the bluefish symbol of this stretch of sea: still caught using ancient systems, such as seine nets and lampara fishing, it has been awarded the Municipal Designation of Origin (De.C.O.) by the Municipality of Castelvetrano. The festival is also linked to the Slow Food Presidium for traditional fishing in the Gulf of Selinunte, a tool for protecting small-scale artisanal fishing and the entire catch of the Selinunte sea.

History and tradition

The event is rooted in the devotion and maritime life of the village: born over half a century ago around the celebrations of the Sacred Heart of Mary, it has reached and surpassed its fiftieth edition, keeping its bond with fishing families, local cooperatives, and the community's youth intact. Between live music, folk groups, and the scent of sardines on the grill, the festival is an opportunity to rediscover the authentic flavors and the soul of the sea of Selinunte, in Sicily.

What to expect

• The afternoon 'ncannata of sardines at the fish market
• The evening grilling on the pier with free distribution
• Black bread, pane cunzatu, couscous, and local wine
• Music and folk groups through the village streets
• The atmosphere of the Marinella harbor at sunset