The Polentata

The Polentata, the highlight of the Marsica summer

The Polentata, also known as the Polenta Festival, is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Villavallelonga, a small mountain village in the Marsica region of the province of L'Aquila, nestled at an altitude of about one thousand meters in the heart of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. Organized by the Pro Loco of Villavallelonga, the festival traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of August in Piazza IV Novembre, the heart of the village, and has been running for nearly thirty years as one of the community's signature events.

A day of taste and community

The Polentata is more than just a gastronomic festival: it is a full day involving both young and old. The morning is dedicated to fried pizzas, prepared in both sweet and savory versions, while children try their hand at drawing. In the afternoon, the children's artwork is displayed along the square's staircase, coloring the center of the village. The real star arrives in the evening: from 7:00 PM, the grand distribution of polenta with sauce and sausage begins, served at stands set up in the square and accompanied by live music that keeps the evening lively until late.

Polenta, a memory of mountain cuisine

In a land of shepherds and ancient farming traditions like the Vallelonga, polenta tells the story of the simple, hearty cuisine of mountain families. Prepared according to the local recipe and topped with a rich sauce and sausage, it becomes a symbol of simple and authentic conviviality, capable of drawing locals, returning emigrants, and tourists vacationing in the Park to the square. The festival is part of a rich summer calendar, which in Villavallelonga also includes the famous Sheep Festival on the second Sunday of August.

Villavallelonga and its Park

Experiencing the Polentata is also an opportunity to discover Villavallelonga, one of the historic villages of the eponymous Municipality overlooking the woods and trails of the Abruzzo National Park. Surrounded by beech forests and mountains exceeding two thousand meters, the village is a destination for hikers and nature lovers, and preserves deep-rooted popular traditions such as the Panarda of Saint Anthony Abbot. The polenta festival is the most delicious way to connect with the soul of this corner of inland Abruzzo.