Vrache di Mulo Festival

The festival of Palombaro's signature dish

The Vrache di Mulo Festival is the gastronomic highlight that brings Palombaro to life every summer. This small village in the province of Chieti is tucked away in the Majella National Park, in the heart of Abruzzo. The event is dedicated to the dish that defines the town's identity—the vrache di mulo—and is hosted by the historic Trattoria Dal Pagano along Via Pagani, in the center of the village.

What are vrache di mulo?

Vrache di mulo are a traditional first course from the local peasant cuisine. The curious name comes from the shape of the pasta, which is hand-cut into wide strips resembling the reins used to secure a pack saddle to mules—known locally as vrache. Tradition has it that shepherds' wives would prepare this dish during the transhumance, using a slow-cooked sauce made from various meats, enriched with mushrooms and ricotta.

Today's most popular version features a ragù made from a blend of meats, including veal, pork, lamb, and white meat, seasoned with vegetables and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine. It is slow-cooked for hours until tender and finished with sautéed mushrooms and a touch of cream. The thick, hand-cut pasta captures the sauce perfectly.

A feast of flavors and music

During the festival evenings, in addition to the essential vrache di mulo, Trattoria Dal Pagano offers a rich menu of traditional Abruzzese specialties: arrosticini, pallotte cacio e ove (cheese and egg balls), pork shank, pecora alla callara (shepherd-style mutton), wild boar stew, fried pizza, and homemade desserts, all paired with local wines and beers.

The dining experience is always accompanied by live music, with bands and artists enlivening the early August evenings, along with entertainment for children, making the festival a perfect event for the whole family.

Palombaro and the Majella

Set in a village overlooking the slopes of the Majella, the festival is also an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of inland Abruzzo, rich in nature, folk traditions, and local hospitality. Palombaro is one of the few places that still keeps the recipe for vrache di mulo alive, passed down orally from generation to generation, and the festival represents its most heartfelt celebration.

Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced; the event is typically held in early August. We recommend checking the official channels of Trattoria Dal Pagano for updates.