Craf in Crof

Craf in Crof: The goats return to Croveo

Craf in Crof, a dialect expression literally meaning "Goats in Croveo," is the sheep and goat exhibition that, in the heart of autumn, enlivens the small village of Croveo, in the Municipality of Baceno, in the upper Antigorio Valley. We are in the northernmost corner of the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in Piedmont, where goat and sheep farming remains a vital source of livelihood for many local families.

A mountain pastoral tradition

Every year, hundreds of animals, accompanied by their young, descend to Croveo from the high-altitude summer pastures after the grazing season. The animals are gathered in the village, displayed to the public, and evaluated by experts who award prizes to the breeders. The event is a precious opportunity to keep a centuries-old rural culture alive, defined by transhumance, hard work in the pastures, and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

What to see and taste

Alongside the animal exhibition, the day features informational sessions on sheep and goat farming and live demonstrations of milk processing and dairy production. Visitors can observe traditional transformation techniques and, most importantly, taste and purchase goat cheeses and other typical valley products.

• Exhibition and awarding of hundreds of goats and sheep
• Demonstrations of milk and cheese processing
• Tasting and sale of dairy products and local specialties
• Mountain-style lunch and gastronomy
• Informational sessions on farming techniques

The meaning of the name

"Craf in Crof" is a dialect name that immediately reveals the identity of the festival: craf means goats, and Crof is Croveo. More than just a simple festival, the event is an act of affection toward a mountain territory that has made sheep and goat farming a cornerstone of its economy and culture.

Croveo and the Antigorio Valley

Croveo is one of the historic hamlets of Baceno, a town also known for the extraordinary church of San Gaudenzio. The Antigorio Valley, the gateway to the Formazza Valley and the Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero Natural Park, offers pristine alpine landscapes that provide the ideal setting for a festival deeply rooted in the land and pastoral life.