Spring Festival

A village festival at the foot of Monte Maggiore

The Spring Festival is the event that kicks off the season in Rocchetta e Croce, one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Caserta, in Campania. The town, with just over four hundred inhabitants spread across the hamlets of Rocchetta, Croce, and Valdassano, sits at an altitude of about 460 meters on the slopes of Monte Maggiore, in an area of the Alto Casertano defined by olive groves, chestnut woods, and ancient paths connecting the villages.

The concept is simple yet effective: for one day, the historic center transforms into a continuous route through alleys, small squares, and courtyards, where local associations welcome visitors with traditional products, crafts, and music. It is a festival that focuses not on large crowds, but on hospitality and the pleasure of discovering a place that usually remains off the beaten tourist path.

A village to explore on foot

The heart of the event is the tour of the village. In past editions, guides have accompanied visitors through the historic center, with the involvement of students from the I.S.I.S.S. Ugo Foscolo of Sparanise, who share the heritage of their local area. Among the most striking landmarks in the municipality are the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, dating back to the 15th century, the medieval core of Rocchetta, and the ancient Roman bridge in the hamlet of Valdassano.

Those with energy to spare can extend their day on the trails leading up to the Hermitage of the Santissimo Salvatore and the Cave of San Michele, popular destinations for hikes and pilgrimages featured in previous spring events. The municipal territory is part of the Monte Maggiore Mountain Community and is crossed by the Cammino di San Francesco Caracciolo, a devotional and naturalistic route connecting several towns in the area.

Flavors and crafts of the Alto Casertano

From late morning, food and craft stalls occupy the Villa Comunale and Via Cavour: small local producers, farms, and artisans showcase the excellence of the Alto Casertano. In 2025, the festival also hosted the inauguration of the Artist Ceramics created with master ceramist Giovanni Marrapese, a project designed to leave a permanent mark on the town beyond the duration of the event.

• Stalls featuring local products and regional farms
• Exhibitions of local crafts and artistic ceramics
• Communal dining in the square with traditional peasant dishes
• Play area set up for children
• Live music in the afternoon

Music, games, and conviviality

The most popular moment is the communal lunch: long tables are set up outdoors accompanied by musical performances, while a play area remains available for children throughout the day. It follows the classic formula of a Campanian village festival, where the food is not just a side dish but the true social glue of the day.

Who organizes the Spring Festival

The event is born from the collaboration between the Pro Loco Rocchetta e Croce, the Pro Loco of Roccaromana, the Cammino di San Francesco Caracciolo association, and the Con la Mano del Cuore cooperative. The event is sponsored by the Municipality of Rocchetta e Croce, the Monte Maggiore Mountain Community, the Distretto del Commercio Diffuso Area Sidicina-Alto Casertano, and UNPLI Caserta and UNPLI Campania.

When it takes place

The festival is held in spring, between late April and early June depending on the year: the third edition, in 2025, was announced by local press for Sunday, April 27, while other reports indicated June 1st. It is therefore advisable to check the date on the Pro Loco channels before traveling. Admission to the event is free.