Festa della Rievocazione della Cotta del Carbone Vegetale
In Pomonte, the ancient art of charcoal burners is revived, amidst tradition, cuisine, and dancing evenings
About Cotta del Carbone Vegetale
Pomonte and the memory of the charcoal burners
In Pomonte, a small hamlet in the municipality of Gualdo Cattaneo in the heart of Umbria, in the province of Perugia, the Festa della Rievocazione della Cotta del Carbone Vegetale celebrates a trade that for centuries marked the economy of these woods. The event, organised by the Pro Loco Pomonte, reconstructs the ancient carbonaia (charcoal pile): a stack of wood covered with earth and slowly cooked for days to obtain vegetable charcoal.
Between re-enactment, culture, and gastronomy
The festival combines the demonstration of the charcoal burners' work with moments of culture, folk tradition, and dancing evenings. The local cuisine is central: among the specialities featured at the stands are lumache alla pomontina (snails 'alla pomontina') and dishes based on goose, accompanied by Umbrian wines. The evenings, with music and dancing, extend the festival late into the night.
A tradition still alive
Now in its many editions, the Pomonte festival is one of the most characteristic August events in the Gualdo Cattaneo area: a way to pass on to new generations artisanal knowledge linked to the woods and rural life of inland Umbria.
Cotta del Carbone Vegetale — edition 2026
For the 2026 edition, scheduled from August 6 to 15, the hamlet of Pomonte renews the re-enactment of the vegetable charcoal cooking, with the reconstruction of the ancient charcoal pile and demonstrations of the charcoal burners' work. Alongside the re-enactment part, ten evenings of tradition, culture, local gastronomy, and dancing, with stands offering Pomonte specialities — lumache alla pomontina (snails 'alla pomontina') and dishes based on goose — and local wines.
Programme Cotta del Carbone Vegetale 2026
The detailed daily program for the 2026 edition will be published by Pro Loco Pomonte on its official channels in the weeks preceding the festival. The established structure includes, for each evening (August 6 – 15):
- Evening opening of gastronomic stands with traditional Pomonte dishes (lumache alla pomontina, goose, typical first courses and desserts) and Umbrian wines.
- Re-enactment of the charcoal pile and demonstration of the charcoal burners' work.
- Dancing evenings with live music and entertainment.
Detailed program coming soon.
Highlights Cotta del Carbone Vegetale 2026
Prices Cotta del Carbone Vegetale 2026
Practical information — Cotta del Carbone Vegetale
How to get there
Pomonte is a hamlet of Gualdo Cattaneo, in the province of Perugia. By car, from Foligno or Todi, reach the Gualdo area following signs for Pomonte. The festival takes place in the centre of the hamlet.
Dining
Gastronomic stands with typical dishes (lumache alla pomontina, goose) and local wines for all evenings.
Information
Pro Loco Pomonte — official Facebook page proloco.pomonte.
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Where does it take place — Cotta del Carbone Vegetale
Pomonte (frazione di Gualdo Cattaneo)