Vitulano Chestnut and Pecorino Cheese Festival

Vitulano's Autumn Festival

At the end of October, the historic center of Vitulano, in the Province of Benevento, transforms: its squares and narrow streets become a continuous path of food stalls, braziers, and local product stands. The Vitulano Chestnut and Pecorino Cheese Festival is one of the longest-running autumn events in the Sannio region. Established in the early 1990s, it reached its thirty-second edition in 2025 and is organized by the Pro Loco "Camposauro" in collaboration with the Municipality of Vitulano and local associations.

Vitulano lies at the foot of the Camposauro Massif, in the heart of the Campania region—a landscape of chestnut groves, pastures, and marble quarries that the festival showcases in its entirety, bridging the gap between the table and the land that produces its bounty.

Two Iconic Products: The "Enzeta" Chestnut and Pecorino

The star of the show is the "enzeta" chestnut, a local variety found only in the Vitulano and Camposauro area. It is easily recognized by its lighter skin, pointed shape, and intense flavor, making it perfect for both roasting and desserts. Alongside it is the Vitulano pecorino, an aged cheese with a bold flavor, still crafted using traditional methods in the mountain hamlets.

• Roasted chestnuts prepared in the square throughout the day
• First and second courses featuring chestnuts, based on traditional peasant recipes
• Desserts and baked goods made with chestnut flour
• Tastings of Vitulano pecorino, cured meats, and local bread
• Wines from the Taburno and Sannio areas, as well as local olive oil and preserves

A Gastronomic Journey Through Squares and Alleys

The stalls are not concentrated in a single area but are spread throughout the town's squares and narrow streets, turning every visit into a pleasant stroll. The food stalls are complemented by craft displays—ceramics, textiles, and woodwork—and markets featuring agricultural producers from the Vitulano Valley, with dedicated spaces for children and families.

Trekking in the Chestnut Groves and Discovering the Hamlets

The festival goes beyond gastronomy. Every morning, the Trekking Camposauro association leads visitors on hikes through the chestnut groves that climb the mountain slopes. In town, urban trekking routes are organized with local guides to discover churches, palaces, and marble workshops. A more challenging 11-kilometer walk connects the casali (hamlets) scattered around the main town, offering a glimpse into a community that has relied on chestnuts, shepherding, and stone for centuries.

Folk Music, Folklore, and Red Marble

In the afternoon and evening, the center comes alive with music: tammurriata groups, folk bands, street performers, fire shows, and comedy acts, leading up to final concerts and DJ sets that close out the days. The cultural side is also well-represented: for years, the festival has hosted a symposium and exhibition dedicated to the sculpture of Vitulano red marble—the stone that made the town famous in the construction sites of the Kingdom of Naples—as well as conferences on innovation in chestnut farming with local research centers and agricultural institutes.

When It Takes Place

The timing remains consistent: the final days of October and the first of November, coinciding with the All Saints' holiday. Recent editions were held from October 29 to November 1, 2022; November 1 to 5, 2023; October 31 to November 3, 2024; and October 31 to November 2, 2025. Dates for 2026 have not yet been announced; it is best to follow the Pro Loco Camposauro channels in the weeks leading up to autumn.