Du' Pici sotto le Stelle

A festival dedicated to pici, the soul of the Valdichiana

In the historic center of Chianciano Terme, a renowned spa town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, the Du' Pici sotto le Stelle festival returns every June to pay homage to the iconic dish of this region: handmade pici. This humble, ancient pasta, made simply from water and flour, is hand-rolled and stretched until it becomes those long, irregular thick spaghetti that have accompanied the peasant cuisine of southern Tuscany for centuries.

Who organizes the festival

Behind the event is the Associazione Amatori Pici Chianciano, which began in 2008 as an informal group of enthusiasts and was officially established in 2014. Today, it boasts over three hundred members who protect, pass on, and promote this popular dish, highlighting the original recipe and traditional sauces using locally sourced ingredients. The festival, held under the patronage of the Municipality of Chianciano Terme, is their most anticipated event of the year.

Pici and their sauces

The heart of the festival is, of course, the tasting. The pici are served hot, dressed according to three classic local recipes:

• Chianina beef ragù, prepared with the prized Chianina cattle breed, consistently the most requested topping.
• Nana (duck) ragù, a rich and flavorful sauce from the Tuscan peasant tradition.
• Aglione della Valdichiana sauce, made with the unique local giant garlic, which is sweet and delicate, a hallmark of the cuisine in these valleys.

For those with celiac disease, a gluten-free pici option is also available, reflecting the association's commitment to all visitors.

Atmosphere and setting

The festival takes place in the intimate Piazzolina dei Soldati, in the historic village of Chianciano Terme: open-air tables, evening lights, and the simple, genuine atmosphere of a village fair. Over the years, the event has grown to serve several thousand plates in just a few days, attracting visitors not only from the Siena area but also from the neighboring provinces of Arezzo and Grosseto, from Umbria, and beyond. The evenings are often enlivened by local merchants with music and entertainment, making the festival a true gathering point for the entire community.