Baccalà Festival — Borgoantico Feast

A festival that preserves the memory of Trentino

The Baccalà Festival — Borgoantico Feast takes place every November in the historic center of Villa Lagarina, a town in the Vallagarina valley in the province of Trento, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Organized by the Borgoantico Association, the festival was created to showcase the historic village and its traditions, and over the years it has become one of the most cherished autumn culinary events in the region.

Stofis: from peasant dish to sought-after specialty

The absolute star is stofis, salt cod stewed according to the local home-style recipe. Once a staple for peasant families during years of hardship and emigration, salt cod is now a sought-after specialty: the festival preserves its authentic, home-cooked preparation, which is quite distinct from restaurant versions. Around this dish, a menu is built that draws on the culinary memory of the Vallagarina valley.

The flavors of traditional cuisine

Alongside polenta and salt cod, which is also available for takeaway, the festival stalls offer classic Trentino dishes:

• Orzet, the traditional mountain barley soup
• Polenta with Val di Gresta sauerkraut and luganega sausage
• Polenta and renga (smoked herring)
• Local cheeses and cured meats
• Desserts such as strudel, torta de formentom, treccia mòchena, and hot Beca
• Roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, featuring wines from the Cantina Vivallis

More than just food: culture and community

The Borgoantico Feast combines gastronomy with moments of culture and social connection: photographic exhibitions on the town's history, presentations of local publications, author meetings, and guided tours of the historic center, churches, and sites that recount the past of Villa Lagarina. It is a way to rediscover the village's identity and the deep bond between the community and its territory.

A popular and welcoming event

With free admission and popular prices, the festival is held in the squares of the historic center, particularly Piazzetta Sigismondo Moll. It is an event designed for families and lovers of genuine mountain cuisine, bringing together residents and visitors around the flavors and stories of the Vallagarina valley.