Strozzapreti Festival

A tradition dating back to 1987

The Strozzapreti Festival in Picenze, a small hamlet in the municipality of Barisciano in the province of L'Aquila, is one of the most deeply rooted gastronomic events in the Abruzzo hinterland. Established in 1987, it has surpassed thirty-eight editions and continues to attract visitors from across the L'Aquila basin and beyond every summer. The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Picenze, which involves the entire village community in the preparations.

The strozzaprete, the absolute star

The dish that gives the festival its name is the strozzaprete: a humble pasta made only with water and flour, strictly hand-cut according to the skills passed down by local ladies. It is served in two classic versions: with meat sauce (ragù) and with truffle cream, the latter a tribute to the truffles found on the plateau surrounding Barisciano. Alongside this signature dish, the stalls offer specialties of Abruzzese cuisine: arrosticini, grilled sausages, tomato and truffle bruschetta, fried pizzas, and zeppole, all accompanied by local wines.

The medieval village comes to life

The event takes place in the historic center of Picenze, a medieval-style village that transforms into a large social space during the August evenings. The scenic heart of the festival is the ancient fountain, the village's centuries-old water source, around which food stands and music areas are set up. The equipped area in front of the former school building, between the San Martino and Villa di Mezzo districts, hosts the covered part of the festival.

Music and evenings in the square

Every edition combines dining with entertainment: a live orchestra accompanies dinner with singing and dancing in the adjacent square, while late at night, the space in front of the fountain turns into an open-air disco with DJ sets, especially popular with younger crowds. The party continues until late at night in a cheerful atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the Picenze summer.

Barisciano and the L'Aquila plateau

Located at the foot of the Gran Sasso, in the heart of Abruzzo, the Barisciano area is a land of shepherds, traditional products, and villages rich in history. The Strozzapreti Festival is an ideal opportunity to discover Picenze and its authentic gastronomy, set against one of the most evocative natural landscapes in the province of L'Aquila.