Truffle Festival – Alley of Truffle Hunters and Ancient Flavors

The village reborn around the truffle

The Truffle Festival in Cervinara, best known by the name of its signature event, the 'Alley of Truffle Hunters and Ancient Flavors', is one of the most characteristic food and wine events in the Irpinia region during December. It takes place in Borgo Pirozza, a small historic center within the municipality of Cervinara, in the province of Avellino, at the foot of the Partenio massif and in the heart of the Caudina Valley, in Campania.

The idea behind the event is as simple as it is ambitious: to breathe new life into a village marked by depopulation, using the most precious product of the surrounding woods as a catalyst. This has sparked a dedicated effort by local youth, associations, and the Pro Loco, who work every year to restore alleys, courtyards, and cellars to welcome thousands of visitors.

The Partenio truffle

The absolute star is the truffle harvested in the Partenio woods, a product the Caudina Valley has always known but which has only recently found a permanent showcase. At the stalls in the alley, you can find fresh truffles, preserves, sauces, and freshly prepared dishes: from tagliatelle to egg and truffle 'scarpetta' (bread dipping), to crostini and cheeses enriched with black truffle shavings. Alongside the truffle, there is space for other gastronomic excellences of Irpinia: caciocavallo and mountain cheeses, cured meats, extra virgin olive oil, chestnuts, legumes, traditional sweets, and local wines.

More than just gastronomy

The festival has gradually evolved into a small, widespread event. Over the three days, the program features:

• live music along the alleys, with local bands, folk music groups, and street artists;
• folk performances of the Campanian tradition, such as the bottari and tammurriate;
• street performers, dance shows, and children's entertainment;
• conferences and book presentations dedicated to the relationship between truffles, forests, and sustainability;
• treasure hunts and discovery paths through the village;
• Santa's House, with free photos and a letter box for the little ones.

Completing the picture are craft exhibitions and displays of ancient trades set up in the village cellars: basketry, woodworking, embroidery, and tools of peasant civilization tell the story of life in the Caudina Valley before the arrival of modern housing.

A nativity-like atmosphere

The timing in the first weekend of December is no coincidence: the festive lights, the braziers lit in the squares, and the aromas wafting from the kitchens give the event an almost Christmas-like character. Borgo Pirozza, with its stone arches, narrow staircases, and the chapel of San Sebastiano, becomes a natural stage perfect for slow strolls and frequent stops.

Cervinara and the Caudina Valley

Cervinara is located at the western end of the province of Avellino, halfway between Naples, Caserta, and Benevento, in a position that makes it a gateway to the Partenio Regional Park. The municipal territory alternates between inhabited centers, chestnut groves, and mountain paths, with the sanctuary and hiking trails leading up toward the peaks of the massif. The festival is therefore also an opportunity to discover an inland area of Campania often overlooked by tourist circuits, yet rich in forests, traditions, and typical products.

Free admission

Access to the village and the event is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls, with tastings and dishes offered at popular prices. For updated information on dates and the program, please refer to the Municipality of Cervinara website and the Facebook page 'Vicolo dei Tartufai – Borgo Pirozza'.