Blog

The Summer Sagra

By: Effetto Italy  On: June 1, 2019  In: Italian Culture 



Summer in Italy means different things to different people.  To some, the long nights in a favorite piazza conjure special memories.  To others, it represents the hustle and bustle of tourist season. But to us, the months of June, July and August signify that it’s sagra time in Italy.  And something not to be missed.

What is a Sagra?

A sagra is a local food festival, held in towns and villages in every region in Italy.  Sagre (the plural) happen all year round from January to December, but an abundance of them happen during the summer. The word ‘sagra’ comes from the Latin word ‘sacrum’ which means holy or sacred.  While in ancient times, people would come together to honor the harvest with offerings to the gods, in Christian times, there was more of an emphasis on patron saints.  Now, however, it has become a way for the community to come together to celebrate its territory’s culture of food and tradition.

What are they like?

Many sagre are held over one or two weekends.  Check online for listings of local festivals or you can find them advertised in the towns by sign or flyer.  Many are held in the main piazza or even in big fields around the town, allowing for ample room for long tables for guests.  Usually menus (with all courses and options celebrating the main ingredient) are posted at the entry. You order and pay at the start, and then find a seat at a table where you wait for your food.  Communal seating means being able to relax and make some new local friends.

Some Examples of Summer Sagre:

Sagra del Pesce Spada

Ingredient? Swordfish
Where? Acitrezza, on Sicily’s east coast just north of Catania
When? June

Sagra del Fungo Prugnolo

Ingredient? The Prugnolo mushroom
Where? Firenzuola in Florence
When? June

Sagra degli Gnocchi

Ingredient? Gnocchi (dumplings)
Where?  Cantalupo in Sabina, Lazio
When? July

Sagra del Cinghiale

Ingredient? Wild Boar
Where?  Allumiere, near Rome
When? July

Sagra del Ciliegio

Ingredient? Sweet Cherry
Where?  Sant’Alfio, Sicily near Mt. Etna
When? July

Sagra del Limone

Ingredient? Lemon
Where?  Massa Lubrense, on the coast of Sorrento, Campania
When? July

Sagra della Mozzarella

Ingredient? Buffalo Mozzarella
Where?  Cancello and Arnone, Campania
When? August

Sagra della Mugnaia

Ingredient? The rustic mugnaia pasta
Where?  Pescara, Abruzzo
When? August

Sagra della Nocciola

Ingredient? Hazelnut
Where?  Cortemilla, Piedmonte
When? August

Sagra del Moscardino

Ingredient? Miniature Octopus
Where?  Talamone, Tuscany
When? August

Sagra della Bistecca Chianina

Ingredient? Beef from the Chianina cows
Where?  Cortona, Tuscany
When? August

Sagra della Zucca

Ingredient? Pumpkin
Where?  San Carlo, Emilia Romagna
When? August

Sagra della Cipolla

Ingredient? Sweet Onions
Where?  Giarratana, Ragusa, Sicily
When? August

We hope you get to experience one of the great joys of Italy this summer.  If you have questions or need any advice, send us a message below.  And stayed tuned for our list of Fall Sagre in a few months.  Happy eating!

Ciao for now,

The Effetto Italy Team

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