Crotti Festival — Mese Route

The Crotti of Mese and the Great Valchiavenna Festival

Among the most characteristic treasures of Valchiavenna are the crotti: natural cellars dug into the rock, crossed by a cool air current called sorel which maintains a constant temperature all year round, ideal for aging cured meats, cheeses, and wines. The Crotti Festival of Chiavenna, founded in 1965 and today one of the most beloved food and wine events in Lombardy, organized by Pro Chiavenna, is dedicated to this tradition.

The Mese Route

The Municipality of Mese, a few kilometers from Chiavenna in the Province of Sondrio, participates in the festival with its own dedicated itinerary: the Mese Route. It is a gastronomic walk of about 4.68 km divided into five stages, during which the country's crotti — usually private and hidden — open their doors to visitors as part of the "Andèm a Cròt" circuit.

The Flavors of the Valley

Along the route, you can taste the typical specialties of Valchiavenna:

• Bresaola and mountain cured meats
• Gnocchetti of Chiavenna
• Torta fioretto and biscottini di Prosto
• Local wines, kept in the crotti themselves

An Authentic and Highly Sought-After Experience

Walking through the crotti of Mese is not just a gastronomic occasion, but a way to connect with the deepest identity of the valley. The experience is so appreciated that in recent editions, the Mese Route has regularly gone sold-out: booking is mandatory and tickets are purchased online. An event that inextricably links the small Municipality of Mese to the great tradition of the Crotti Festival.