Castellaro Festival

A centuries-old festival on the hills of Val Trebbia

The Castellaro Festival is one of the most cherished summer festivals in the upper Val Trebbia, in the heart of the Piacenza Apennines. It takes place in the small hamlet of Castellaro, nestled at about 700 meters above sea level on the hills of the Municipality of Travo, in the province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna). The focal point of the event is the Oratorio della B.V.M. delle Grazie del Castellaro, around which the villagers, holidaymakers, and many visitors from the valley gather for four days.

Devotion and popular tradition

The festival originates from devotion to the Blessed Virgin of Graces and retains a strong religious dimension: the religious feast is celebrated on the central day, with a service at the oratory. Around this moment of faith revolves a lively community celebration, passionately organized by the association Amici del Castellaro, which has been animating the hamlet during the summer for years.

The flavors of Piacenza cuisine

The gastronomic stands are one of the main attractions. The cuisine offers typical local dishes and the great classics of Apennine festivals:

• Pasta with sauce and traditional Piacenza first courses
• Roast suckling pig and cooked salami
• Skewers and grilled meats
• Castagnoli, homemade cakes, and various desserts
• French fries and DOC wines from the Colli Piacentini

Evenings of music and dancing

Every evening, the festival transforms into a large dancing party with live orchestras, following the tradition of Emilian 'ballo liscio' (smooth dancing), and concludes with an evening dedicated to disco music. It's an opportunity to bring together multiple generations under the Apennine stars, in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere.

A corner of the Apennines to discover

Reaching Castellaro also means discovering a charming corner of Val Trebbia, amidst woods, trails, and wide panoramas of the Piacenza hills. The festival, with free admission, is an excellent opportunity to combine good food with an outdoor summer excursion, away from the heat of the plains.