Chianina Cattle Exhibition

The "White Giant" takes center stage in Cortona

In the village of Fratticciola, part of the Municipality of Cortona in the province of Arezzo, the Chianina Cattle Exhibition is one of the most cherished and long-standing events in the Tuscan Valdichiana. The festival celebrates the Chianina, the ancient and majestic white-coated cattle breed that has inhabited these hills for centuries and serves as the foundation for one of the world's most renowned Italian culinary treasures: the Florentine steak.

Organized by the Municipality of Cortona in partnership with Cortona Sviluppo and the Il Carro Association, with the collaboration of the Consortium for the Protection of the Vitellone Bianco dell'Appennino Centrale IGP, the "Angelo Vegni" Institute, and the Cortona DOC Consortium, the exhibition takes place within the Museum of Peasant Civilization in Fratticciola, a venue that preserves the memory of field labor and rural life in the area.

A blend of competition, fair, and rural tradition

The heart of the event is the beef cattle market and the competition for premium veal calves, featuring the morpho-functional evaluation of the animals by a panel of experts and the awarding of the breeders. Surrounding this livestock core is a rich agri-food fair and a market exhibition of agricultural machinery and local products.

The festival is not just for industry professionals: the two-day event features show cooking sessions dedicated to Chianina beef, guided tastings of Cortona DOC wines, cheeses, and oils, demonstrations of ancient crafts, historical walks with working oxen, and parades of vintage tractors and agricultural machinery organized by the local Cortona Tractor Enthusiasts. Plenty of space is also reserved for children, with games, workshops, and the chance to meet farm animals.

A historic event in the Valdichiana

Reaching its 71st edition in 2026, the Chianina Exhibition is a landmark event for breeders, enthusiasts, and curious visitors from all over Tuscany and Central Italy. It is the perfect opportunity to get up close with a breed that symbolizes the territory, savor traditional dishes, and immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the Cortona countryside, nestled between the Valdichiana and the Arezzo hills.

Why it's worth visiting

• See the impressive Chianina cattle, the "White Giant," up close.
• Witness the competition for premium veal calves and the awards ceremony.
• Participate in show cooking sessions and tastings of Chianina beef, Cortona DOC wines, oils, and cheeses.
• Explore the agri-food fair and the exhibition of agricultural machinery.
• Experience walks with oxen, vintage tractor parades, and activities for children.