Struffl Festival - Feast of Saint James in Calabri

A village feast at the foot of Mount San Giacomo

In the municipality of Caggiano, in the province of Salerno, the small district of Calabri transforms for two days in August into the heart of community life. This is where the Feast of Saint James the Apostle is celebrated, accompanied by the “struffl” festival, one of the most authentic gastronomic events in inland Campania. The event is born and renewed thanks to the volunteer work of the festival committee, driven by the local youth and supported by the entire community.

What is a “struffl”?

The struffl — which the Municipality of Caggiano registers among its historical festivals under the spelling “struffolo” — is a small rustic fried dough fritter, served hot and accompanied by local wine. It should not be confused with the Neapolitan struffoli, which are sweet and honey-covered: here, it is a savory, popular dish rooted in the peasant cuisine of the Salerno hinterland, where leavened dough was fried and enjoyed with local cheeses.

• Leavened dough prepared and fried on the spot at the district stalls
• Served hot, with local cheeses and territorial red wine
• Tastings organized by the festival committee, not by commercial businesses

Devotion to Saint James the Apostle

The religious aspect of the festival is inseparable from the convivial one. Liturgical celebrations take place both in the district chapel and in the chapel dedicated to the saint on Mount San Giacomo, which overlooks the valley and can only be reached on foot: the morning climb to the little church, through woods and pastures, is the most evocative moment of the entire event and, for many locals, represents a ritual of returning to their roots.

Music, games, and conviviality

The festival evenings are filled with live concerts that have brought popular bands from the Campania music scene to Calabri over the years. Alongside the performances are traditional card tournaments — such as briscola and tressette — and, in some editions, mountain-related sports initiatives. The atmosphere remains that of a genuine neighborhood feast: outdoor tables, families, emigrants returning for the summer, and visitors from neighboring towns.

Calabri, Caggiano, and the Tanagro Valley

Caggiano is a village in the Salerno hinterland overlooking the Tanagro Valley, between the Alburni mountains and the Vallo di Diano, dominated by its medieval castle and a historic center of stone alleys and arches. The town's summer calendar is particularly rich: in addition to the Culinary Path in the historic center and the crusicchi festival around Ferragosto, the Feast of Saint James the Apostle in the Calabri locality takes place on August 20th. Those visiting Campania away from the coast will find here one of the best examples of how religious tradition, peasant cuisine, and village social life remain a single entity.

Why it is worth the trip

• A specialty found nowhere else: the struffl is prepared only here, during these days
• The climb to the chapel on Mount San Giacomo, blending devotion and valley views
• Affordable prices and the warm welcome of a small, generous community
• The opportunity to combine the visit with the historic center of Caggiano and other summer events in the area