Acquacotta Festival

A festival that tells the story of Maremma through its food

The Acquacotta Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Santa Fiora, a medieval village perched on the slopes of Mount Amiata, in the province of Grosseto. For over forty years, in the heart of summer, the community has gathered at the Municipal Stadium to celebrate a dish that is much more than a recipe: acquacotta, the quintessential rustic soup of the lower Tuscan Maremma.

What is acquacotta?

Born from the ingenuity of the woodcutters and charcoal burners of Mount Amiata, acquacotta is a peasant soup crafted from whatever the pantry offered: stale bread, onions, seasonal vegetables, tomatoes, celery, oil, and topped with an egg and toasted bread. A humble dish that has endured through the centuries and has now become a symbol of the local identity, shared bowl by bowl by the festival volunteers. Alongside the main recipe, the stands offer various regional variations and other traditional Amiata specialties.

The celebration at the Municipal Stadium

For about ten days in August, the Santa Fiora Municipal Stadium on Via Martiri della Niccioleta transforms into a large, convivial space. The food stands, managed by the ASD Intercomunale Santa Fiora, open in the evenings and, following the opening day, also for lunch. The evenings are enlivened by music, social gatherings, and activities for all ages, set in an authentic and welcoming village atmosphere.

The San Rocco tripe breakfast

One of the most characteristic moments is the San Rocco tripe breakfast, a tradition where tripe is served early in the morning, around 8:30 AM, to mark the saint's feast day. It is a beloved local ritual that draws residents and visitors alike, highlighting the deep connection between the festival, local gastronomy, and the village's religious calendar.

Santa Fiora and Mount Amiata

Visiting the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Santa Fiora, recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its Peschiera, churches filled with Robbian terracotta, and stone-paved alleys. The event is set within the territory of Mount Amiata and the Grosseto Maremma, where popular food and wine culture is an integral part of the Tuscan identity.