Food festivals and events in Pollino 2026
“The Parco Nazionale del Pollino is Italy's largest national park, home to villages where time stands still.”
Nature and Authenticity
Upcoming Events
Festa dell’uva
Melanzana Rossa di Rotonda
The "tomato eggplant" with unique antioxidant properties.
The Pino Loricato "Italus" is 1,230 years old, one of Europe's oldest trees.
Pollino is Italy's largest national park (192,565 hectares, 56 municipalities).
Discovering the territory
Products, traditions and culture that make this land unique
Prodotti del Territorio
Peperone di Senise
The "crusco" or "zafaran", dried and fried, an iconic symbol of Basilicata cuisine.
Piatti della Tradizione
Tradizioni e Cultura
Patrimoni UNESCO
Pollino UNESCO Global Geopark
UNESCO Geopark within Italy's largest national park.
Patrimonio NaturaleFaggeta vetusta di Cozzo Ferriero
Ancient beech forests recognized as humanity's heritage.
Patrimonio NaturaleTradizioni Popolari
Riti arborei
Pre-Christian rituals of "tree marriages", similar to European May Day celebrations.
Riti arbereshe
Traditional Albanian costumes and Greek-Orthodox rituals in Arbëreshë communities since the 1500s.
Tessuti arbereshe
Artisanal production of traditional Albanian costumes.
Parchi e Aree Naturali
Parco Nazionale del Pollino
Italy's most extensive national park (192,565 hectares, 56 municipalities).
Personaggi Illustri
Giorgio Castriota Skanderbeg
Albanian national heroHis resistance against the Ottoman Turks led to the Arbëreshë exodus toward Southern Italy.
Carlo Levi
WriterConfined in Aliano, where he wrote "Cristo si è fermato a Eboli" (Christ Stopped at Eboli).
Lo Sapevi Che…
“The Pino Loricato grows spontaneously in Italy only in Pollino.”
“Serra Dolcedorme (2,267 m) is the highest peak in the southern Apennines.”
Domande Frequenti
1Which PDO and PGI products are found in Pollino?expand_more
Pollino is home to 3 protected designation products, including: Melanzana Rossa di Rotonda (DOP), Fagiolo Bianco di Rotonda (DOP), and Peperone di Senise (IGP).
2What should I eat in Pollino?expand_more
Typical Pollino dishes include: Peperoni cruschi fritti, Strascinati con peperoni cruschi, Zuppa di fagioli bianchi, and Lagane e ceci. Each dish tells the story of the territory's culinary heritage.
3What UNESCO heritage sites are in Pollino?expand_more
Pollino is home to 2 UNESCO sites: Pollino UNESCO Global Geopark (Natural, 2015) and Faggeta vetusta di Cozzo Ferriero (Natural, 2017).
4What are the most famous festivals in Pollino?expand_more
Among the most important festivals and events in Pollino are: Sagra dell'Abete (Festa della Pita) (Rotonda, June 8-13); Sagra del Bianco e del Rosso (Rotonda, late August); U Strittul ru Zafaran (Senise, August 9-11).
5What natural parks are in Pollino?expand_more
Protected natural areas in Pollino include: Parco Nazionale del Pollino (National Park).
6Who organizes the festivals in Pollino?expand_more
Festivals in Pollino are organized by local communities such as Pro Loco Rotonda, Pro Loco Senise, and Associazione Arbereshe Civita. These Pro Loco organizations and associations are guardians of the territory's culinary traditions.