Chestnut Festival in Trecchina

Trecchina and the Queen of Autumn

Nestled among the mountains of the Valle del Noce, a few kilometers from the coast of Maratea, Trecchina is one of the greenest villages in Basilicata. Here, the chestnut has always been much more than a fruit: it is memory, economy, and identity. For over twenty years, the association Gli Amici della Castagna has dedicated a festival to it that has grown to become a regional event, attracting around twenty thousand visitors every autumn.

Three Weekends of Celebration

The Chestnut Festival covers almost the entire month of October, spread over three consecutive weekends. For six days of celebration, the center of Trecchina fills with food stalls, aromas, and music. The star is the local chestnut, presented in a thousand forms: pasta and desserts made from chestnut flour, roasted chestnuts, honey, ice cream, jams, liqueurs, grappa, and even craft chestnut beer, alongside cured meats, cheeses, and wines from the Lucanian territory.

In the Heart of the Chestnut Groves

In addition to tasting, the festival offers the chance to experience the woods as protagonists: during the event days, guided chestnut harvesting excursions are organized among the chestnut groves of Trecchina. Folk groups with traditional songs, dances, and sounds liven up the streets, in an atmosphere that combines taste, nature, and rural culture.

A Festival for the Territory

Promoted by Gli Amici della Castagna, the event generates significant benefits for Trecchina and the municipalities of the Valle del Noce, enhancing an excellent product and the hospitality of a village that makes the chestnut its symbol. The festival celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2025, confirming itself as one of the most beloved autumn festivals in Southern Italy.