Ancient Crafts Festival

A festival celebrating rural Tuscany

Every year, between late May and early June, the historic center of Radicofani (province of Siena) transforms into a vast open-air museum of traditional rural life. The Ancient Crafts Festival, organized by the Pro Loco Radicofani with the support of the Municipality, is one of the most cherished events in the Sienese Val d'Orcia: three days where the arts and skills of the past take center stage in the alleys of the village, at the foot of the imposing Fortress that dominates the valley.

Crafts, machinery, and re-enactments

Strolling through the town streets, you will encounter artisans at work demonstrating age-old techniques: blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, washerwomen, embroiderers, and gunsmiths recreate the atmosphere of a bygone farming community. The heart of the festival lies in the re-enactments of field work:

• the ancient threshing re-enactment, featuring restored vintage farm machinery;
• the plowing re-enactment with historic tractors;
• parades of farm machinery, vintage tractors, and vehicles through the historic center;
• antique markets, traditional games, and photography exhibitions.

The soundtrack is provided by folk music, traditional songs, live performances, and ballroom dancing that keep the evenings lively until late at night.

Gastronomy: the cazzagnoli

The absolute star of the table is the village's signature dish, cazzagnoli: a traditional handmade pasta made only with water and flour, rolled out with an ansagnolo (rolling pin) and cut by hand with a knife, similar to the famous Tuscan pici. They are served with garlic sauce or meat ragù. Alongside the cazzagnoli, food stalls offer a menu of traditional Tuscan country cuisine and local wine tastings.

A village to discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to visit Radicofani, one of the most picturesque villages in southern Tuscany, famous for its medieval Fortress and the UNESCO-listed landscape of the Val d'Orcia. With free admission, the Ancient Crafts Festival combines memory, tradition, and conviviality in an event suitable for the whole family.