Antica Festa del Tegame of Monte Sopra Rondine

A rural tradition dating back to 1975

The Antica Festa del Tegame takes place every September in Monte Sopra Rondine, a small hillside hamlet in the Municipality of Arezzo, Tuscany. The event originated in the mid-1970s, linked to the religious feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Madonna Addolorata), celebrated on the third Sunday of the month. Originally, after the celebration, the local farmers would gather to share the richest dishes of Aretine cuisine—especially meat-based recipes—which rarely appeared on their tables during the rest of the year. From that convivial ritual, one of the most deep-rooted and beloved festivals in the Aretine hills was born, now reaching its 49th edition.

The 'tegame' and the flavors of Aretine tradition

The absolute star is the tegame, the ancient cooking vessel that gives the festival its name and encapsulates all the wisdom of traditional peasant cooking. Every evening, the food stand offers a menu that is an authentic journey through the flavors of the region:

• Ribollita and traditional soups
• Aretine-style tripe and grifi
• Pork fegatelli (liver skewers)
• Maccheroni with roast duck sauce or meat sauce
• Roast duck, the signature dish of the Aretine table
• Wild boar stew
• Steaks, pork ribs, and sausages grilled over charcoal

Each night, in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Association - Arezzo Delegation, a sommelier recommends pairings between the dishes and wines from the Terre di Arezzo, highlighting local enological production.

Festivities, music, and conviviality

The Antica Festa del Tegame is not just about gastronomy: every evening is enlivened by aperitifs, live orchestras, and dancing, while younger guests can enjoy dedicated games and entertainment. There is no shortage of the classic briscola tournaments and other leisure activities that make this festival a meeting point for the entire community and visitors coming up from the nearby Aretine countryside.

In the hills, just a stone's throw from Arezzo

Monte Sopra Rondine is located just a few kilometers from the historic center of Arezzo, in the heart of a hilly landscape typical of the province. The festival is the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany, far from the main tourist circuits, where food and wine traditions intertwine with the hospitality of a small community. An evening at the Festa del Tegame means sitting down at the table as people did in the past, amidst robust flavors, local wines, and the genuine atmosphere of a village feast.