Festivities in Calitri

Calitri and surrounding areas

A Sagra is a festivity organized to meet with people and is primarily focused on the tasting of local dishes and gastronomical products, accompanies by customary dances or concerts. It is very much a community and family-based event. Unfortunately we can't list all of the mouth-watering food festivals that are a XX of Calitri and the surrounding areas, but this will give you an idea and the impetus to explore more on your own.

A Palio Is when the sporting event is a historical recreation as well, such as a joust or a horse race in costume or armor. Other folklorist events can include religious festivities, local celebrations tied to the town's patron saint and a series of other colourful and exciting events filled with the warmth of the locals and the beauty of the Italian setting.

**The dates outlined are approximate annual dates, there might be a variation in some of the events from year to year

JANUARY

Calitri and all over

Jan. 1:
The Italian superstition is that if the first person you meet when you go out on New Year's Day is a man, you will have a happy year. You must also try the local lentil dishes on New Year's night because according to legend they represent money and eaten at the beginning of the year they'll bring wealth and good fortune.

La sagra del pastiero , Sant'Angelo all'Esca (AV)

January 5: La sagra del pastiero (the pastiero festivity) a festivity based on the village recipipe of a pastiero, a local quiche made of egg, butter, ricotta, pecorino and parmisan cheese. Cooked on a bonfire lit for the occasion in the town square and distributed to passer-bys. Delicious.

The Befana, Calitri and all over

Jan. 6: is an important holiday which celebrates the arrival of the three kings. According to Italian tradition, on the way to the new born Jesus they stopped during their journey and asked an old woman for food and shelter. She refused them and they continued on their way, and when she changed her mind they were long gone. Still today she wanders round looking for the new born Jesus and the three kings, flying from house to house on her broomstick bearing gifts for children. She leaves pieces of coal (carbon) for the children that misbehaved during the year.

Celebration of Saint Antonio Abate , In Cesinali (AV)

Jan. 17: Celebration of Saint Antonio Abate, with the blessing of the town animals around the bonfire in the Enrico Coccia square, followed by a colourful procession in the surrounding countryside.

The Feast of Saint Sebastian and the bonfire of Saint Sebastian, Avella (AV)

Jan. 20: The locals organize festivities as well as a pagan ritual of burning trees in the central square of Avello to celebrate the town's patron saint.

FEBRUARY

Carnival, Avellino (AV)

In Avellino, the Carnival partying and festivities culminate in food, music and merry-making, coupled with a proliferation of masked Pulcinellas (a figure similar to Punch in the U.K. with an extremely long beak-like nose, a black mask, a long white coat, and loose and straggly hair). The locals hold make-shift operettas on the streets among the confetti and the sounds of mirth, and re-enact the legend of Zeza, his daughter Porzia, and Porzia's male admirer Zenobio. Dances include the "Representation of the Months", the "Bonds of Love", and the "Condemnation. The main celebrations are held in the central town square.

APRIL

Festivita' di San Marco, Bagnoli-Laceno (BN)

April 25: A mixed religious-gastronomical celebration that is much-felt by the locals. After mass is celebrated in the chapel of St. Marco, a traditional bread and cheese sandwich in the shape of the cross is eaten.

Good Friday, The Procession of the Mystery, Calitri (AV)

In Calitri, the most important celebration of Good Friday is organized by the Fraternity of the Immaculate Conception. ``The Procession of the Mystery'' is a colourful and moving ritual in which fraternity brothers or "fratelli" don in white capes and hoods and wear crowns of thorns on their heads. They walk sombrely to the Sanctuary of Santa Lucia in the nearby Mount Calvery, followed by the town faithful.

Good Friday, the Blessing of the Harvest, Caposele (AV)

The ancient and vivacious tradition involves the locals taking sacks of seeds they plan to later plant to the Sanctuary of San Gerardo Maiella (where the body of San Gerardo Maiella is said to be buried) for a blessing. According to tradition this will protect the seeds in their future growth.

Good Friday, Processione delle tavolate, Lapio (AV)

A procession of life-size paper mache statues that are effegies of the scenes from the Passion of Christ. The statues are borne on large wooden planks, so-called "tavolate" that are dragged along my tractors.

Sagra del maiale, Senerchia (AV)

February 1: (the suckling pig festival). Tasteful food and local recipes to try out based on locally-grown pigs.

MAY

Madonna di Montevergine, Montevergine (AV)

May and Sept. 1: The sanctuary of Montevergine, which has a cult following all over Southern Italy, experiences its peak pilgrim inflows in May and in September. The devout often travel there on foot or in convertible cars decorated with flowers and other ornaments.

Sagra della ricotta e del formaggio, Bagnoli Irpino (BN)

May 20-21: The local cheese festival. Tasteful food and local recipes to try out in the historical centre of Bagnoli.

Sagra del mugliatello, Lapio (AV)

May 22: a food festivity focussing on the mugliatello a lamb-based local dish). Once a sacred festivity revolving round Saint Rita, the sagra del mugliatello is now very much a time for fun and games and delicious pieces of lamb cooked in a mouth-watering sauce and accompanied by fresh bread and Fiano wine.

La sagra del carciofo, Pietrelcina (BN)

May 25: the artichoke festivity

Sagra della salsiccia paesana, Trevico (AV)

May: 25: a food festivity based on the local sausage, which the town is renowned for in the area). Trevico is known as the "roof" of Irpinia because it is the highest village in the area with an unbeatable panoramic view of the region. It is also the oldest village in the area.

La Festa della Maggiaiole, Sant'Andrea di Conza (AV)

May 28: is a celebration of a legendary alliance that was formed between the inhabitants of Sant'Andrea di Conza and the Catholic Madonna. Many of the local girls form a procession wearing a white veil and a grown of grapes, accompanied by their mothers and following a large crucifix - tradition has it that those that participate will be sent a worthy husband to wed by the Madonna. Once at the church where the procession ends, the girls will throw their crowns of grapes on the ground.

Festivita' di S. Nesta, Bagnoli-Laceno (BN)

(end-May, beginning of June, Monday following Pentacoste). A mixed gastronomical-religious festivity. Open air dinner, dancing, singing and mirth in Bagnoli following the celebration of mass in Laceno.

JUNE

Saint Antonio di Padova , Cesinali (AV)

First Sunday after June 13: Celebration of Saint Antonio di Padova, followed by a colourful procession.

Sagra della ciliegia, Forchia (BN)

June 14: the feast of the cherries

The Sagra del maiale, Cesinali (AV)

June 15: the feast of pork meat

Sagra formaggio tipico "U Casiadd" Moliterno (PZ)

June 18: the feast of the "U Cassiad", a local cheese

Sagra della Gastronomia e della birra , Villa D'Agri (PZ)

June 20: the gastronomical products fand beer festivity

Sagra del vino bianco, Pago Veiano (BN)

Third Sunday of June: the feast of the white wine

La sagra della troffie don raddichio e porcini, Avellino (BN)

June 20: the home-made trofie pasta with raddicchio vegetables and procini mushrooms festival

JULY

La sagra del fungo porcino, Salza Irpinia (AV)

July 1: local porcini mushroom festivity held in this ancient medieval village of Roman origin dotted with archaeological ruins. The name Salza comes from the Latin "salsus", that is to say "salty", with reference to a nearby spring of salty waters from which salt was extracted in ancient times.
Guzzi motorbike rally, Calitri (AV)

July 2-3:

La sagra delle Trofie con Radicchio, Montoro Inferiore (AV)

July 9-10: local trofie pasta and radicchio recipe). Typical local dish of this small town, a strategic point along the road that from Irpinia and Sannio to Salerno, made up of six small hamlets (Piano, Preturo, Piazza di Pandola, Misciano, S. Felice and San Bartolomeo.)

La sagra del fungo porcino, Montoro Superiore (AV)

July 9-11: local porcini mushroom festivity

Palio della Quintana, Melizzano (BN)

July: the jockey joust of the Quintana

Il Festival della Pizza, Avellino (BN)

July: the pizza festival

La sagra del fusillo e della porchetta, Torrioni (AV)

July 18-20: local fusillo pasta and porchetta pork meat festivity. Typical local dishes of this medieval town that rises around a watch tower called Aione, part of the Duchy of Benevento.

La Festa sull'Aia, Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte (BN)

July 23: the local harvesting festivity. Locals, young and old, join forces to celebrate the annual harvest, one of the most important events in this mainly agricultural-based village. Local dishes based on corn are presented to visitors to be tried out. Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte used to be a stronghold of the Longobards and for a long time was under Byzantine dominion. In 1040 it was conquered by the Normans and then became a fief of the lord of Uggiano. In San Rocco's Church, also called ‘della Riforma', there is a polypitch of the XVII century. Its organ, choir and pulpit, in carved and painted wood, date back to the XVIII century.

La sagra del vitello paesano, Pago Veiano (AV)

Last weekend of July: the village veal festivity. A colourful celebration of food, wine and local traditions. Plenty of tasty local recipes to try out. Visitors must make the obligatory visit to the "Castello di Terraloggia", a castle dating back from 1113 belonging to the normal lord Roberto di Sicilia.

Sant'Anna, Zungoli (AV)

July 26: The festivity of Santa Anna is in the middle of the harvesting period that is the backbone of the local economy. The villagers decorate carts, the co-called "grogne" with wheat and cereals and ornaments in sign of appreciation for the bounty of the harvest. All the grogne participate in a competition for the best-decorated ornaments. The victorious cart is offered up to Santa Anna as a sign of thanksgiving.

La sagra dei cicatelli, San Giorgio la Molara (BN)

July 30: ossia della pasta lavorata a mano (the feast of the local home-made pasta, otherwise known as cicatelli). Typical local dish of this small town.

AUGUST

Santa Filomena, Mugnano del Cardinale (AV)

Second Sunday in August: The faithful group together in clusters that represent various "compagnie" or fraternities to take part in the colourful pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Santa Filomena. Many walk barefoot, wearing a red sash around their waists, and stamping their feet. They also bear flowers, lit candles and special-purpose ornaments decorated with sea shells, ribbons and paper of all shapes and sizes in sign of devotion. They climb the stairs of the sanctuary on their knees and reach the alter either on their knees or on all fours in sign of respect for Santa Filomena.

Sagra del torrone, Ospedaletto d'Alpinolo (AV)

First Saturday and Sunday of August: the nugat festival.

Sagra della pizza chena, Torre Le Nocelle (AV)

First Saturday and Sunday of August: the pizza chena festival. A great savoury local variety of pizza dressed with seasoned cheese and local ham, and cooked in wood ovens. The festivities are held in eh centre of this delightful medieval town that has Greek and Roman influences (ruins of which can be seen and visited in the surroundings, of which also those of an important Roman aqueduct in a locality called Vichiceto). Also home to the Sanctuary of San Ciriaco with its tall bell tower which looms from high up and a distinguishing point of the town as visitors approach.

Sagra del fusillo, prosciutto e vino aglianico, Pietradefusi (AV)

Second Saturday and Sunday of August: a food festivity based on home-made pasta called fusillo, seasoned ham and local aglianico wine.

Sagra delle lasagne e ceci, Laceno (BN)

August 5: the local lasagna end chickpea festival. Tasteful food and local recipes to try out in the ski resort of Laceno.

Sagra dei colori e sapori d'altri tempi, Morcone (AV)

August 6-10: the colours and tastes of times gone by festivity.
A kaleidoscope of artisans showing off their wares on stands, local recipes and grastronomical products to try out, street artists and music.

Sagra del peperone ripieno, San Martino Sannita (BN)

Aug.10-15: the feast of the stuffed peppers

Sagra del fungo porcino, Laceno (BN)

August 12: the local porcini mushroom festival. Tasteful food and local recipies to try out in the ski resort of Laceno.

Sagra dell'olio d'oliva, San Lorenzo Maggiore (BN)

Aug. 9-14: the olive oil festivity

Madonna della Misericordia, Fontanarosa (AV)

Aug. 14: Every year, on the afternoon of Aug. 14 an obelisk completely covered in hay is borne by rope-bearing locals helped along by a small vehicle to the Church of the Madonna della Misericordia.

La sagra delle melanzane al cassone, Montesarchio (BN)

Aug. 14-15: the feast of the dressed egglant

La sagra del grano, Foiano di Val Fontone (BN)

Aug. 16: the wheat festivity

Sagra del ravioli, Laceno (BN)

August 19: the ravioli festival. Tasteful food and local recipies to try out in the ski resort of Laceno.

Sagra della patate, Trevico (AV)

August: a food festivity based on potatoes and all the local recipes

Sagra delle orecchiette, Pietradefusi (AV)

August: a food festivity based on local sauces and hand-made pasta called orecchiette

La sagra dei carri di grano e sagra della pannocchia, Amorosi (BN)

Aug. 27-28: the feats of the wheat and corn carts

Celebration of Saint Rocca da Montpelier, patron saint of Cesinali, Cesinali (AV)

First Sunday after August 16

Sagra della birra e della porchetta, (Trevico (AV)

August: a food festivity based on local beer and suckling pig roasted whole in the oven, which the town is renowned for in the area. Trevico is known as the "roof" of Irpinia because it is the highest village in the area with an unbeatable panoramic view of the region. It is also the oldest village in the area.

San Vincenzo Ferrari, Gesulado (AV)

Last Sunday of August: San Vincenzo Ferrari, the patron saint of Gesualdo, is celebrated by the villagers every year when they pay homage to the eternal fight between good and evil, the battle between the Angel and the Devil. A raging inferno in created in the central square of the village and young child, representing the Angel, is suspended over the kaleidoscopical false fires of hell on a metal cable. The celebrations reach their peak when the child soars down over the inferno, symbolizing the victory of good over bad.

SEPTEMBER

Sagra del Greco di Tufo, Tufo (AV)

First weekend in September: Tufo is the homeland of the world-renowned Greco di Tufo wine.

Sagra della frutta secca, Domicella (frazione Casola) (AV)

First weekend in September: the dried fruit festival) A mouth-watering assortment of locally-grown, dried fruits and nuts, and biscuits, cakes, ice creams and pastries that derive from them. Don't forget to try the spaghetti with nut sauce, a typical local dish.

Sagra del peperone, Montesarchio (BN)

Sept. 28-29: the feast of the peppers

Sagra delle castagne, Contrada (AV)

September: the horse chestnut festival

Celebration of Saint Michele, Torrioni (AV)

Sept. 29: Celebration of Saint Michele, patron saint of this medieval town that rises around a watch tower called Aione, part of the Duchy of Benevento. St. Michael's day is celebrated with beautiful fireworks. Worth visiting the parish church dedicated to him that dates back to the 18th century

Sagra dei pepperoni imbottiti, (Trevico (AV)

September 7: a food festivity based on stuffed peppers, which the town is renowned for in the area). Trevico is known as the "roof" of Irpinia because it is the highest village in the area with an unbeatable panoramic view of the region. It is also the oldest village in the area.

La sagra della Nocciola, Avellino (BN)

September: the hazlenut festival

OCTOBER

Sagra del boscaiolo, Laceno (BN)

October 7: the country and woods food festival. Tasteful food and local recipes to try out in the ski resort of Laceno.

Montella chestnut festivity, Montella (AV)

Oct. 22-23: Typical gastronomical products market and the sagra della Castagna di Montella (Montella chestnut festivity). The montella chestnuts, among the most renowned in Italy, grow in the beech, oak and chestnut woods that surround the town. Try castagne fresche (fresh), castagne essiccate in guscio (dried), castagne essiccate sgusiate, castagne del Prete, farina di Castagne (flour) and confettura di castagne (jam). There is also the famous 'ricotta mantecata' cheese which Montella is famous for, and the town is also renowned for its truffles and mushrooms. The hills of the Alta Valle del Calore are also famous for their black truffles which can be found all year round. Nature lovers should head to the wooded areas of Costa del Caprio, Costa del Cervo, Felascosa, Sassetano and Valle Cinquanta.

Sagra del tartufo, Bagnoli Irpino (BN)

Oct. 27-28: the truffle festival

Sagra della castagna, (Trevico (AV)

October: a food festivity based on local horse chestnuts - you will be able to try them roasted, boiled as well as many sweet and savoury recipes involving chestnuts). Trevico is known as the "roof" of Irpinia because it is the highest village in the area with an unbeatable panoramic view of the region. It is also the oldest village in the area.

Sagra del cinghiale, Montoro Superiore Localita' Torchiati (AV)

October: the wild boar food festival. Try out all these mouth-watering local recipes based on wild boar meet that have been passed down through several generations.

NOVEMBER

Sagra della castagna, Baselice (BN)

Nov.6: the horse chestnut festival

DECEMBER

Living nativity scenes. Pietrelcina (BN)

Dec. 28-29: Folkloristic, Religious and Pagan Festivities in Calitri and Surrounding Areas