Food festivals and events in L Aquila e Gran Sasso 2026
“L'Aquila and Gran Sasso are home to Italy's most prized saffron and a millennia-old pastoral heritage.”
Saffron and Pastoral Traditions
Upcoming Events
Festa della castagna di Intermesoli
Zafferano dell'Aquila
The world's finest saffron, cultivated on the Navelli plateau since the 13th century.
Zafferano dell'Aquila DOP is the finest saffron in the world and is worth more than gold by the gram.
Campo Imperatore is called 'the Little Tibet' for its plateaus at 1,800 meters at the foot of the Gran Sasso.
Discovering the territory
Products, traditions and culture that make this land unique
Prodotti del Territorio
Canestrato di Castel del Monte
Aged sheep cheese from the transhumance tradition of the Gran Sasso.
Piatti della Tradizione
Tradizioni e Cultura
Patrimoni UNESCO
Festa della Perdonanza Celestiniana
The oldest celebration of forgiveness in Christian history.
Patrimonio ImmaterialeTradizioni Popolari
Perdonanza Celestiniana
Celebration of the indulgence granted by Pope Celestino V in 1294, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Processione del Venerdì Santo di Sulmona
The Madonna who runs through the square: the statue of the Madonna rushes toward the Risen Christ.
Parchi e Aree Naturali
Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
The highest massif of the Apennines featuring the Corno Grande peak (2,912 meters) and Campo Imperatore.
Personaggi Illustri
Papa Celestino V
PopeThe Pope of the 'great refusal' in Dante's writings, a hermit on the Maiella, instituted the Perdonanza in L'Aquila in 1294.
Ovidio
Latin poetAuthor of the Metamorphoses, born in Sulmona in 43 BC.
Lo Sapevi Che…
“The Perdonanza Celestiniana (1294) is considered the precursor to the modern Jubilee.”
Domande Frequenti
1What DOP and IGP products can be found in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso?expand_more
In L'Aquila and Gran Sasso, you'll find 3 protected designation products, including: Zafferano dell'Aquila (DOP), Lenticchia di Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Slow Food Presidium), Canestrato di Castel del Monte (Slow Food Presidium).
2What should I eat in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso?expand_more
The typical dishes of L'Aquila and Gran Sasso include: Arrosticini, Scrippelle 'mbusse, and Sagne e fagioli. Each of these dishes tells the story of the region's gastronomic traditions.
3What UNESCO heritage sites are in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso?expand_more
In L'Aquila and Gran Sasso, there is 1 UNESCO World Heritage site: the Festa della Perdonanza Celestiniana (Intangible Heritage, 2019).
4What are the most famous food festivals in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso?expand_more
Among the most important festivals and events in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso are: Perdonanza Celestiniana (L'Aquila, August 28-29); Sagra dello Zafferano (Navelli, October); Madonna che Scappa in Piazza (Sulmona, Easter).
5What natural parks are in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso?expand_more
Protected natural areas in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso include: Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga (National Park).
6Who organizes the food festivals in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso?expand_more
The food festivals in L'Aquila and Gran Sasso are organized by local communities such as Pro Loco Navelli and Pro Loco Santo Stefano di Sessanio. These Pro Loco associations and local organizations are the custodians of the region's gastronomic traditions.