U' Pastizz R'Tunnar Festival

The Pastizz, Jewel of Rotondella Cuisine

In Rotondella, a hilltop village in the Metapontino area of the province of Matera, there is a dish that alone tells the story of the community's identity: u' pastizz r'tunnar. It is a crescent-shaped baked product with a golden crust, filled with pork seasoned with eggs, cheese, parsley, extra virgin olive oil, pepper, and salt. A specialty so deeply rooted that it has obtained the recognition of Traditional Agri-food Product (P.A.T.) and is included in the Ark of Taste by Slow Food.

A Festival Celebrating Tradition

Organized by the Municipality of Rotondella with the involvement of local associations, the "U' Pastizz R'tunnar" Festival takes place in August and transforms the historic center, particularly Corso Garibaldi, into a large open-air workshop. Here, grandmothers and women from agricultural associations demonstrate the preparation of the pastizz using a board and rolling pin, revealing secrets and stories of a craft passed down from generation to generation.

Flavors, Workshops, and Folklore

• Experiential workshops open to children, young people, and visitors, with demonstrations of traditional preparation;
• Tastings of the pastizz accompanied by other typical Lucanian dishes at inns, trattorias, and bars with outdoor seating;
• Folk music, traveling folk groups, and flag-throwers animating the village streets.

A Village Overlooking the Ionian Sea

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Rotondella, a village with a characteristic circular shape perched above the Ionian plain. Amidst narrow streets, panoramic views, and the aroma of freshly baked pastizz, the celebration reveals the most authentic soul of eastern Basilicata.