Chestnut Festival in Rigoso

The chestnut, soul of the Parma Apennines

Every autumn, the small village of Rigoso, a hamlet of the Municipality of Monchio delle Corti in the province of Parma, dedicates a day to the chestnut, the fruit that has shaped the history and cuisine of these mountains. We are in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, between the Val Cedra, Val Bratica, and Val d'Enza, in an area that is part of the Park of the Hundred Lakes and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, recognized as a UNESCO MaB Reserve.

The highest village in the Parma region

Nestled at over 1,100 meters above sea level, Rigoso is the highest village in the Parma Apennines: a cluster of stone houses, historic fountains, and votive shrines that tell the story of a ridge community's life. Here, the chestnut is not folklore but living memory: for centuries, it was the "bread of the poor", the food that allowed people to survive the winter when grain was scarce in the mountains.

A tradition that lives on

In the territory of Monchio delle Corti, ancient stone drying houses (metati) have been restored, where chestnuts were once dried over a slow fire to produce flour. From that flour come the traditional dishes of the Parma mountains: pattona (the local chestnut cake), polenta, tagliatelle, and simple, genuine desserts. The Chestnut Festival in Rigoso is an opportunity to rediscover these authentic flavors.

What to expect

• Roasted chestnuts and chestnuts prepared according to tradition
• Food stalls with typical products from the Parma Apennines
• Desserts made with chestnut flour and mountain specialties
• The convivial atmosphere of a village festival organized by the local community

An opportunity to discover the territory

Participating in the Chestnut Festival also means discovering a little-known corner of Emilia-Romagna: the trails of the Park of the Hundred Lakes, glacial lakes like Lago Ballano and Lago Verde, and the chestnut woods that turn red and gold in autumn. An experience that combines taste, nature, and the traditions of an authentic mountain region.