Castelvetrano Artichoke Festival

In Castelvetrano the artichoke is one of the most typical crops, just think that the inhabitants of the town are also known by the nickname Carcucciulari, testifying to the abundant production of this vegetable.
It is natural, then, that every year a festival was organized in this locality to make the artichoke and its many uses known to a large public, both local and from other regions. Below, then, all the details to take part in the Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano.

Description of the Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano

The artichoke festival is an appointment that the city of Castelvetrano wanted to dedicate to this vegetable and its thousand properties as well as its goodness. Since ancient times, in fact, the artichoke was known not only for the goodness of the product and for its versatility in many different recipes but also because it is a food whose consumption has very positive for health of whoever eats it.
For example, it has long been established that a constant use of the artichoke has a positive impact on the heart but is able also to cleanse the liver, have a calming impact on cough and also purify the blood. Obviously the object of the festival is more than anything else the goodness of the product, which can be used both for the preparation of sweet and savory dishes, also as regards the creation of liqueurs and herbal teas with artichoke extract. During the festival it will be possible to try these and other specialities, made exclusively with artichokes from this area.

The story linked to the Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano

The history of the Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano is relatively recent given that in 2022 the fifth edition of this event will be celebrated. The decision to organize a party to make this delicious product known to a very large public stems from the desire to let all visitors discover the thousand uses of the artichoke, for this very reason an integral part of the event is made up of the stands that prepare the artichokes in many different ways, such as roasted or fried artichokes, tabbouleh, artichoke omelette and an innovative artichoke sushi that edition after edition is enjoying more and more success.
In addition to savoring the dishes, during the event it is also possible to buy artichoke-based products such as the liqueur satin oil or the black bread with the scent of this vegetable.

When the event takes place

The event is held every year on the Saturday following Easter Sunday and ends on Sunday, for this very reason the event does not always fall on the same calendar date. Even if the festival lasts only two days, the events are concentrated throughout the hours available, in order to make the artichoke and its many uses well known to all the participants.
Although some appointments are scheduled in the morning, especially of an informative nature such as the workshops on artichoke cooking techniques, however, it is after sunset, from aperitif time onwards, that the event reaches its climax given that the food and wine stands start at this very hour and go on all evening and into the night, to let you taste delicious sweet and savory specialties based on artichokes.

Where the Artichoke Festival takes place in Castelvetrano

The Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano is held in the locality of the same name, along Via Vittorio Emanuele which is the main street of the town. Here, in fact, all the food and wine stands are set up to prepare the artichoke-based specialties which visitors will then taste.
Furthermore, the event goes beyond the boundaries of its original location because it involves the whole town as guided tours of the Castelvetrano museums are also organized during the event, completely free of charge and with exceptional guides, i.e. the inhabitants of the town themselves.

What to do during the Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano and around the town

During the Artichoke Festival in Castelvetrano obviously the main activity is the food and wine tasting which will allow you to discover the thousand flavors of the artichoke. There are also more folkloristic appointments such as musical and cabaret shows, theatrical performances with the staging of local works and moments dedicated to culture to learn about the history of Castelvetrano through its monuments.
Those who would like to stay in the area for a few more days will certainly be able to combine participation in the festival with the discovery of this area so rich in history. The civic museum, for example, collects numerous dating finds in Greco-Roman times which were found in the excavations carried out over the centuries in the area.

The archaeological park of Selinunte, however, brings together a series of perfectly preserved temples and other historical artifacts. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, on the other hand, is a perfect example of sixteenth-century religious architecture and inside it is richly decorated with frescoes and majolica, all works created between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries by local artists and beyond.

How to get to Castelvetrano

Getting to Castelvetrano with your own car is very simple, especially if you come from Palermo. Through the A29 motorway it will in fact be possible to arrive directly at your destination, taking the homonymous exit. From Catania, on the other hand, the reference motorway is the A19 up to Palermo and from there proceed with the road indicated above. Castelvetrano is also served by a local station which is directly connected to that of Trapani. Finally, both from Trapani and from Palermo it is possible to reach the locality with a bus service that is provided by the ATS company.