Selva di Chiaiano Festival... with Cherries

A spring festival in the cherry orchards of Chiaiano

At the end of May, when the cherries are ripe, the Selva di Chiaiano transforms into a small open-air stage. Selva di Chiaiano Festival... with Cherries is a walking event that starts from the historic cherry orchards of Masseria Casaputana and heads into the woods, blending nature walks, themed readings, live music, and tastings of freshly picked fruit. The event takes place in the Chiaiano district, within the City of Naples, inside the Naples Hills Metropolitan Park, in Campania.

The Naples Hills Metropolitan Park

Few imagine that just behind the hospital district, a few kilometers from the historic center, a true countryside still survives. The Naples Hills Metropolitan Park protects this hilly strip that descends from the Camaldoli heights towards Chiaiano and Marano: chestnut and oak woods, ancient tuff quarries, active farms, and, above all, cherry orchards. It is a fragile urban agricultural landscape, threatened for decades by neglect and a poor reputation linked to the quarries, which associations and farmers have been bringing back to the city's attention in recent years.

The cherry, identity of a territory

Chiaiano is historically one of the most important cherry-growing areas in the Neapolitan region. The porous volcanic soil and hilly exposure produce medium-to-large fruits with juicy, fragrant flesh; the most well-known local variety is the Recca cherry, prized for its durability and late ripening, which in some years lasts until July. The very dialect name of the fruit, cerasa, derives from Greek and was reportedly introduced to the area by Basilian monks in the Middle Ages. At Masseria Casaputana, a family-run farm led by Carmine Di Guida—an estate with origins dating back to the Roman era—cherries grow alongside other local crops such as Annurca apples, plums, and apricots.

How the day unfolds

This is not a typical town square fair with stalls and booths, but an exclusive, limited-attendance event designed to enjoy the location at a leisurely pace. The rhythm is that of an easy walk, suitable for everyone, with stops dedicated to storytelling and tastings.

• Meeting point in the Chiaiano district and transfer towards Masseria Casaputana, along Strada Comunale Casaputana.
• Walk from the historic cherry orchard to the woods, on the paths of the Selva, with views of the Neapolitan hills.
• Themed readings and live music among the trees.
• Cherry tasting of freshly picked fruit and a chance to meet the farmers.

A 'Maggio dei Monumenti' event

The event is officially included in the Maggio nel Parco (May in the Park) program, the section of the Naples City Council's Maggio dei Monumenti dedicated to the Hills Park. This provides a clear city-wide framework: for a month, local associations guide Neapolitans to discover little-known valleys, farms, and trails, and the Chiaiano cherry festival has become one of the most anticipated events, so much so that it is repeated several times in the same season.

Who organizes it

The initiative stems from the work of Gente Green APS together with the anti-racketeering association La Terra dei Ciliegi and local farms, primarily that of Carmine Di Guida (Casaputana). Passioni di Napoli ETS also collaborates on the summer repeats, curating a hiking version of the route towards the Camaldoli area. The civic value of the operation is explicit: to promote quality agriculture as a concrete alternative to degradation and illegality in a neighborhood that for a long time was only talked about through its landfills.

Visitor tips

The cherry season is short and dates are concentrated between the end of May and the second half of June: it is advisable to book as soon as the program is published, as places are limited. Lightweight trekking shoes, a hat, and water are more than enough; the route presents no difficulties, but you walk on natural terrain and in full sun in open sections. It is an experience that can easily be combined with a visit to the city: from Chiaiano, the center of Naples is just a few minutes away by subway.