The Pilgrim's Food

The Pilgrim's Food: flavors and memories at the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere

In the heart of the Costa dei Trabocchi, the town of Fossacesia, in the province of Chieti (Abruzzo), preserves one of the most evocative sites in the region: the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, a Benedictine monastic complex that dominates the Adriatic coastline from the top of a promontory. It is precisely in this medieval setting that The Pilgrim's Food comes to life, a food, wine, and cultural event that blends historical re-enactment, tastings, and the tradition of the pilgrimage path.

A journey through time along the pilgrimage routes

The event was created to recount the ancient bond between the abbey and the pilgrims who, over the centuries, found rest and hospitality within its walls. The monastery once possessed ovens, vegetable gardens, cellars, and spaces intended to welcome wayfarers and travelers: the event draws inspiration from this memory, bringing the medieval pilgrim's table back to life through monastic-inspired dishes, traditional recipes, and local products.

Re-enactment and tasting

The format combines culture and gastronomy in an open-air experience:

• historical re-enactments set in the Middle Ages and the tradition of the pilgrimage;
• tastings of dishes inspired by monastic cuisine and the pilgrim's table;
• promotion of the agricultural, gastronomic, and cultural excellence of the Costa dei Trabocchi;
• evening setting in the evocative square and the spaces in front of the abbey.

The Radicì Project and the Costa dei Trabocchi

The Pilgrim's Food is promoted by the APS I Trabocchi as part of the Radicì Project, an initiative dedicated to enhancing the agricultural, tourist, and cultural excellence of the area. The event is part of the rich summer calendar of Fossacesia, which every year offers dozens of appointments including music, culture, sports, and food and wine along the coast and in the villages of the Frentano hinterland.

A heritage to be experienced

Participating in The Pilgrim's Food means discovering the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere in a new light, as the sun sets over the Adriatic while you explore the flavors and stories of the Abruzzo tradition. It is an experience that combines the charm of medieval heritage with the authentic taste of local cuisine, in the spirit of hospitality that has characterized this corner of Abruzzo for centuries.