When in Rome... Taste What You Find

A trip around the world in one night, at 545 meters above sea level

'When in Rome... Taste What You Find' is the gastronomic evening that brings the cuisines of various countries around the world to the village of Sassinoro as part of its summer program. The fun is all in the title, which playfully twists the famous Italian proverb: as you change countries, you change tastes, and for one night, this Sannio village transforms into a small map of flavors to be savored while strolling. It is an intentionally intimate event, organized by local volunteers and associations, where culinary curiosity matters more than elaborate staging.

Sassinoro, the village of waters and fountains

The Municipality of Sassinoro has just over six hundred inhabitants and is located at the northernmost tip of the Province of Benevento, in Campania, just a stone's throw from the border with Molise. The village stretches along a slope dominated by Monte Rotondo, in an area rich in springs: these waters irrigate the fields in summer and flow into the Tammaro River, while the large fountain and the fontanili (historic watering troughs) that once powered the mills still survive in the square and alleys. This is why Sassinoro is known as 'the village of waters'.

Its elliptical urban layout recalls its origins as a Roman castrum and the strategic function of the medieval village, which was once surrounded by walls with four access gates. At the center stands the church of San Michele Arcangelo with its bell tower, while in the woods above the town, one can reach the sanctuary of Santa Lucia.

What to eat

The format is that of a traditional village food festival, but with an international twist: the stalls offer both dishes inspired by foreign cuisines and local staples. From this perspective, the Sannio region has plenty to offer:

• Z'a Onta: small pieces of pork sautéed with garlic and pickled peppers, one of the area's most iconic dishes;
• Cacchiarella: a rustic cornmeal pizza baked in the oven;
• Taccozze e fagioli: homemade pasta cut into diamond shapes and served with beans;
• Products from the upper Tammaro Valley, ranging from cheeses and cured meats to saffron grown on the slopes of the Matese mountains.

Part of the village's summer calendar

The evening does not stand alone: it is part of the Estate a Sassinoro (Summer in Sassinoro) program, a series of cultural, musical, and gastronomic events held between August and early September. Over the years, the calendar has included events such as the Quando impazza la banda in piazza musical evening, the Suoni e sapori festival in the historic center, the mid-August Wild Boar Festival, and days dedicated to Sassinoro as the 'village of water' with workshops and meetings. Those arriving for the world cuisine night can therefore find other reasons to stay during the same period.

Why it's worth the detour

This is not a massive festival, and it doesn't pretend to be. Its appeal lies elsewhere: it is the way a village of six hundred souls in the Campania hinterland chooses to tell its story by opening up to the world, through an evening of tasting in the square. Surrounding it, the landscape of the Alto Sannio and the Benevento Matese offers woods, springs, and hiking trails that perfectly complement a visit, along with nearby towns in the Tammaro Valley like Morcone.

2026 Edition

For 2026, the Municipality and local associations have not yet released the official date or the program for the evening. Historically, the event takes place in the first half of August: it is therefore advisable to check for updates on the Pro Loco Sassinoro and Municipality channels before setting off.