Spiedino Festival

The Spiedino Festival in Montereale

In the heart of the Alta Valle dell'Aterno, the town of Montereale, in the province of L'Aquila, hosts one of the most iconic festivals of inland Abruzzo every summer. The Spiedino Festival, organized by the Pro Loco of Montereale, has been drawing thousands of visitors from across the region for decades, transforming the central Piazza Plebiscito into a grand gathering of taste, music, and tradition.

The skewer, the absolute star

The true heart of the festival is the grilled skewer, a close relative of the Abruzzese arrosticino: small cubes of sheep meat about one centimeter in size, hand-skewered on 25-30 cm wooden sticks and alternated with small cubes of fat that enhance the flavor during slow cooking over the fire. Alongside the skewers, the food stalls offer other local culinary specialties, from pasta all'amatriciana to pasta e fagioli, as well as bruschetta and typical products of the high valley.

Music and evenings in the square

Every evening, the festival combines dining with entertainment: live concerts, folk and dance music groups, and the famous midnight "Spiedisco", the DJ set that keeps the party going until late. The covered and well-equipped stalls ensure comfort even in case of bad weather, allowing guests to enjoy the event in any condition.

The re-enactment of Margaret of Austria

On the Sunday of the festival weekend, the event gains a historical dimension with the re-enactment dedicated to Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Parma and Governor of Abruzzo in the 16th century, who chose Montereale as one of her favorite residences. The historic center comes alive with costumed processions and a suggestive joust, a tribute to the humanistic figure and the history of the village.

An iconic appointment in Abruzzo

More than just a food festival, the Spiedino Festival is a community moment that brings together residents, returning emigrants, and tourists in the spirit of Abruzzese conviviality. For those visiting inland Abruzzo in the summer, it is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic flavors of the high L'Aquila mountains and the hospitality of a small Apennine village.