Villa Celiera in Sagra

The arrosticino festival in the heart of the Gran Sasso

Villa Celiera in Sagra is the most anticipated gastronomic event of the summer in Villa Celiera, a small village of about 765 inhabitants perched at an altitude of 714 meters on a limestone cliff overlooking the upper Torrente Schiavone valley, in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, in the province of Pescara. For over thirty years, the Pro Loco of Villa Celiera, with the patronage of the Municipality, has transformed the streets and squares of the historic center into a large open-air restaurant dedicated to the signature product of this land: the arrosticino.

The home of the arrosticino

If there is one place that can truly call itself the home of arrosticini, it is Villa Celiera. Here, small skewers of sheep meat are threaded one by one and cooked over long canaletto grills, then served piping hot and accompanied by bread, olive oil, red wine, and simple side dishes. The entire festival revolves around the arrosticino, though it also offers other Abruzzese culinary delights, such as the renowned Pecorino di Farindola cheese and traditional local desserts. The village, which grew around the ancient Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria Casanova, retains a medieval charm that provides the perfect backdrop for the festivities.

Music, conviviality, and Arrosticino Day

Every evening, the festival features live music, dancing, and moments of conviviality that enliven the squares until late at night. The event traditionally opens with Arrosticino Day, a preview entirely dedicated to celebrating the Abruzzese skewer, before the main days of the festival begin. It is an event deeply rooted in the town's identity, capable of attracting visitors from all over Abruzzo and beyond: in recent years, Villa Celiera has strengthened its reputation as the capital of the arrosticino, with artisanal taste workshops that have even caught the attention of international groups.

A village to experience

Attending Villa Celiera in Sagra means discovering an authentic corner of the Abruzzese Apennines: mountain air, oak forests, pastoral traditions, and a community that prioritizes hospitality and good food. The festival takes place in the historic center of the Municipality of Villa Celiera, which is easily accessible from the main towns in the province of Pescara.