The Hazelnut and the Oven Streets

The village of the hazelnut

The Hazelnut and the Oven Streets is the annual event that, every late September, reconnects Marzano di Nola with its rural roots. This small town in the Vallo di Lauro, in the province of Avellino, Campania, is known as the «city of the hazelnut»: hazelnut groves have long shaped the landscape around the town, influencing its economy, its cuisine, and even the rhythm of the seasons. In September 2025, the Campania Region officially added the «Hazelnut cultivation of Marzano di Nola» to the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (IPIC), a recognition that adds even more significance to this festival.

Courtyards and wood-fired ovens

The heart of the event lies in the "oven streets." As evening falls, the alleys and courtyards of the historic center turn into atmospheric stages, illuminated by the fires burning in ovens relit for the occasion. The aroma of freshly baked bread guides visitors along a path that winds through the village, stop after stop. The courtyards, which were once much more than simple workspaces, return to being what they have always been: meeting places where family recipes, stories, and traditions are passed down.

What to taste

The hazelnut is the undisputed star, from desserts to main courses. In previous editions, the tasting route has featured:

• hazelnut spaghetti, one of the festival's signature dishes;
• potato meatballs and soffritto, classic recipes of the local peasant cuisine;
• bread baked in wood-fired ovens, also served with lard;
• hazelnut, walnut, and chestnut desserts, paired with local wines;
• typical Irpinian products offered by local producers.

Music, crafts, and street performers

Beyond the gastronomy, the evening is enlivened by folk music groups, featuring traditional dances and songs, and street performers who entertain along the route. In the courtyards, artisans show the public ancient crafts and domestic activities of the past, recreated with authentic tools and techniques. This is what makes the festival more than just a simple food fair: it is a small, living museum where the memory of the village tells its own story.

More than just a party: the future of hazelnut farming

In recent years, the event has been enriched with moments of reflection dedicated to the hazelnut sector, with conferences and meetings that bring together administrators, technicians, and producers to discuss the future of the Campanian hazelnut. The 2025 edition was preceded by a conference hosted at the Town Hall the day before the festival, as part of the regional program dedicated to the ancient lands of hazelnuts.

Why it's worth the trip

Marzano di Nola is located just a few kilometers from Nola and a little over half an hour from Naples: an evening here is the simplest way to understand how life was—and in part, still is—in a village of western Irpinia. Those who arrive early can climb to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Abbondanza, which overlooks the town, or pass by the medieval tower and the 18th-century Church of San Trifone Martire, before letting themselves be guided by the scent of the lit ovens.