The Flavors of Ancient Nuceria

An evening of archaeology and the flavors of ancient Rome

The Flavors of Ancient Nuceria is an event in Nocera Superiore, in the province of Salerno, that brings together two things that have always coexisted in Campania: archaeological heritage and fine dining. The formula is simple and effective. First, you walk through the remains of ancient Nuceria Alfaterna, a city that was one of the most important centers in the Agro region during the Roman era; then, in the same location as darkness falls, a historical re-enactment takes place, accompanied by tastings and reconstructions inspired by the cuisine of two thousand years ago. It is neither a local food festival nor a lecture: it is an evening of education built through the tools of storytelling, performance, and taste.

The Alfonso and Matteo Fresa Urban Park

The stage for this initiative is the Alfonso and Matteo Fresa Urban Park, the green space on Via Fiuminale that has become the gateway to archaeological Nocera over the years. Here you will find the Nuceria Archaeological City InfoPoint, the starting point for tours of the monuments and excavation sites in the municipal area. It is an unusual setting for a gastronomic event: not a square blocked by traffic, but a public park overlooking ancient structures, with the opportunity to descend and observe the ruins before the performances begin.

Nocera Superiore, after all, is a city where history lies beneath everyone's feet: the Early Christian Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Hellenistic-Roman theater, the Domus of the Decumanus, and the ancient baths tell the story of a settlement that has continuously spanned the Oscan, Roman, and Christian worlds. The event was created specifically to connect these ancient remnants with modern life.

Historical re-enactment and tastings

The heart of the evening is the historical re-enactment: costumed performers, stage shows, and reconstructions dedicated to ancient Nuceria immerse the audience in a specific moment of the city's history. The narrative is accompanied by an enogastronomic experience, which is not just a side attraction but a true exercise in food archaeology. Past editions have featured:

• Guided tours of the excavations and ancient baths with archaeologists and volunteers from the group;
• Live cooking shows featuring dishes inspired by ancient Roman cuisine;
• Tastings of Roman-era products, from Conciato Romano—one of Italy's oldest cheeses, still produced in Campania—to the legendary Falernum wine;
• Moments dedicated to craftsmanship and ancient techniques.

It is a structure that works because it does not separate the two souls: those who come for the food end up listening to the story, and those who come for the archaeology discover that food is also a historical source.

Who organizes it

Behind the event is the Gruppo Archeologico Nuceria (GAN), a volunteer association that has spent years working to promote the archaeological sites of Nocera Superiore, managing the Via Fiuminale InfoPoint and organizing special openings of the city's monuments. The initiative is sponsored and supported by the Municipality of Nocera Superiore and is included in the municipal summer program, which weaves together music, theater, popular traditions, sports, and religious events throughout the season.

When it takes place

The event falls in September, at the end of the summer season: the evenings are still mild, the park is pleasant, and the evening format—visiting the excavations at sunset, followed by the re-enactment and tastings—is perfectly suited to the climate of Campania. The first edition was held in September 2025, and the second is scheduled for September 23, 2026, titled The Banquet Before the Siege.

Why it is worth the trip

Nocera Superiore is not a mass tourism destination, which is precisely why the experience feels so authentic: the audience is primarily local, with local associations and Campanian producers, and no choreography manufactured for passing tourists. For those in the area—the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and Salerno are just a few kilometers away—it is an opportunity for an unconventional excursion within a city that holds much more than the guidebooks tell.