Biligòcc Festival

A tradition that smells of smoke and forest

In Casale di Albino, a hillside hamlet of the Municipality of Albino in the province of Bergamo, winter has an unmistakable aroma: that of biligòcc. These are chestnuts processed with a completely local method, born in the Valle del Lujo: first they are dried and smoked on special racks, then boiled. The result is a fruit with an intense, smoky flavour, completely different from roasted chestnuts, which has accompanied cold days in Val Seriana for generations.

Thirty-seven years of celebration

Organised by the Gruppo Culturale Amici di Casale (Cultural Group Friends of Casale), the festival has reached its thirty-seventh edition. It is not a simple tasting: it is a day that brings together artisanal knowledge, the village's memory, and the typical hospitality of mountain communities. The heart of the event is the Casa della Comunità (Community House), where you can enjoy lunch with local specialities, while stalls of typical products and crafts line the village streets.

Museum, murals, and drying racks

One of the most interesting aspects is the "Lo Scrigno di Casale" (Casale's Treasure Chest) trail, which leads to the discovery of the ethnographic museum, the murals decorating the houses, and the place where biligòcc are smoked. It is an opportunity to understand how this speciality is produced and why Casale has made it a symbol of its identity. In the afternoon, there are roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and moments of music and dancing.

An event for families and the curious

The Sagra dei Biligòcc is designed for everyone: families with children, passing hikers, and enthusiasts of popular traditions from the Bergamo area. Admission to the event is free, and the atmosphere is that of the genuine small villages of Val Seriana, where people gather in the square and around the table.