Chestnut Festival of Collesano

The Chestnut Festival of Collesano

The Chestnut Festival is the most anticipated autumn event in Collesano, a medieval village in the Province of Palermo nestled on the slopes of the Madonie mountains. Every year, on the last weekend of October, the historic center comes alive to celebrate the chestnut, the fruit that has represented the gastronomic and cultural identity of this corner of Sicily for centuries. The event attracts thousands of visitors from across the region, drawn by the aroma of roasted chestnuts and the warm, festive atmosphere of the village.

The chestnut, iconic fruit of the Madonie

The Madonie mountains are one of the main areas in Sicily for chestnut cultivation, alongside the Nebrodi and Peloritani ranges. The chestnut groves surrounding Collesano provide a generous autumn harvest, which takes center stage during the festival. Throughout the event, chestnuts are roasted over embers and distributed to visitors, while also being used in the preparation of desserts, jams, and traditional specialties. It is an opportunity to rediscover a humble, authentic product deeply rooted in the rural culture of the Madonie territory.

Flavors and traditions of the village

Beyond the chestnut, the festival serves as a showcase for local food and wine. Among the stalls in the historic center, you can sample typical specialties from Collesano and the Madonie:

• Madonie provola cheese and local dairy products;
• traditional desserts, such as the famous Collesano cassatina;
• local honey, including varieties produced from chestnut blossoms;
• baked goods, preserves, and rustic farm specialties.

Completing the atmosphere are the workshops showcasing the prized Collesano ceramics, the result of an ancient and refined art, alongside other local crafts.

Collesano, gateway to the Madonie

The festival is also an invitation to discover Collesano, considered the natural gateway to the Madonie Park. The village preserves its medieval appearance around the ruins of the Norman castle and is home to the famous Targa Florio Museum, dedicated to the legendary car race that once traversed these roads. Strolling through the alleys of the historic center during the festival means combining the pleasure of fine food with the discovery of churches, scenic views, and traditions in one of Sicily's most characteristic towns.

An event for the whole family

With its food stalls, performances, music, and entertainment throughout the village streets, the Chestnut Festival is designed for all ages. It is the ideal occasion to enjoy an autumn day filled with flavor and conviviality, immersed in the colors and tastes of the Madonie.