Corneto Village Festival

A Village Festival in the Heart of the Reggiano Apennines

The Corneto Village Festival is the summer event that brings together residents and visitors in the hamlet of Corneto, a small part of the municipality of Toano, in the province of Reggio Emilia (Emilia-Romagna). Nestled on the slopes of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, along the Secchia river valley, Corneto is an ancient agricultural hamlet described as a small jewel steeped in the history of the Matildic lands, reachable in just over an hour from both Reggio Emilia and Modena.

The Hamlet of Corneto and the Ceccati Family

Corneto holds a deep history: the hamlet is linked to the Ceccati family, an ancient lineage of master wood and stone artisans present in the area since the early 1600s, who left a recognized mark throughout the region. Today, the village is enlivened by the "I Ceccati" Cultural Association Study Center, which promotes exhibitions and events inspired by the ancient peasant world and preserves the memory of the local rural architecture and sculpture. Corneto is located in an area recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve (MAB since 2015) and along the route of the Via Matildica del Volto Santo.

Peasant Cuisine and Parmigiano Reggiano

The heart of the festival is the traditional Apennine cuisine: the absolute star is polenta, served according to ancient rural recipes with pork rind, beans, and ribs, or with sausage and mushrooms, or seasoned with cream and cheese. There is also Parmigiano Reggiano, a true symbol of this mountain corner, which can be tasted and purchased during the festival. The festival is an opportunity to rediscover the genuine flavors of Reggiano peasant cuisine, in a convivial atmosphere typical of village festivals.

Traditions and Conviviality

The Corneto Village Festival is part of the rich calendar of summer events in Toano and its hamlets, where each village celebrates its own festival. It is an authentic celebration, far from the major tourist circuits, designed for people to gather around food, music, and ancient customs, and to revive the community spirit of a small village in the Reggiano Apennines.