Cucina Povera Festival

A tradition that smells of the countryside

The Cucina Povera Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Castellina Marittima, a small hillside village in the province of Pisa, Tuscany, overlooking the hills that slope down toward the Costa degli Etruschi. The event began in the early nineties as a simple long table in the square, an opportunity to eat together and reconnect with traditional dishes. Edition after edition, this convivial gathering has grown to involve the entire town, local associations, and thousands of visitors.

The village becomes an open-air kitchen

During the main weekend in early August, the historic center of Castellina Marittima comes alive with over twenty tasting stations managed by local restaurants, farms, shops, and municipal associations. "Cucina povera" refers to the peasant civilization: simple, resourceful dishes born of necessity but rich in flavor. Specialties include bread soups, wild boar dishes, traditional street food, and recipes passed down through generations, many of which are drawn from a local book that collects the area's legends and recipes.

Themed evenings and opening events

The festival is not limited to the main weekend. In the weeks leading up to it, local restaurants—Il Poggetto, Il Malandrone, Papacqua, and Il Merendacolo—host a series of themed evenings dedicated to peasant cuisine, serving as true culinary previews. These are complemented by a special event at the Castello del Terriccio, featuring a conference and a tasting dinner centered on a symbolic local product, such as the tomato, explored from production to processing.

Flavors, culture, and community

The Cucina Povera Festival is much more than just a food fair: it is a cultural project that preserves the gastronomic memory of the Castellina community. Organized by the Pro Loco together with the Municipal Administration, Slow Food, and numerous local associations, the event combines fine dining, live music, performances, and local crafts in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

Why visit Castellina Marittima

• Tastings of traditional Tuscan peasant dishes
• Over twenty food stands throughout the historic center
• Themed preview evenings at local restaurants
• Music, entertainment, and crafts for all ages
• An authentic village in the Pisan hills, just a stone's throw from the sea

For those looking to discover the most genuine side of Tuscany, far from the most crowded tourist circuits, the Cucina Povera Festival in Castellina Marittima is the perfect opportunity to savor traditional dishes and breathe in the authentic atmosphere of a village that has turned simple, humble food into a heritage to be cherished.