Festa di San Martino - Albero della Cuccagna
The challenge of the 'Albero della Cuccagna' (Greased Pole) in the San Martino district
About Festa di San Martino
A Saint Martin's Day Tradition
The Festa di San Martino is celebrated every November 11th in the district of the same name, San Martino, in Gubbio, in Piazza Giordano Bruno. The heart of the festival is the 'Albero della Cuccagna', a game of medieval origin popular in many European countries and deeply rooted in Italian folk culture.
The Greased Pole Challenge
The ritual is simple and spectacular: a pole is greased, and teams of young Gubbio residents compete to climb to the top. The winner is the first to reach the capon hanging high above, along with other typical prizes like sausages, cheeses, and bottles of wine. A test of strength, skill, and teamwork that draws the entire community to the square.
A Festival of Identity
The evening begins with the free distribution of chestnuts and wine and continues with a tasting of polenta with pork rind and beans, a typical peasant dish. More than just a game, the 'Albero della Cuccagna' is a highly cherished festival of identity for the citizens of Gubbio, in the province of Perugia, who gather in the district to celebrate Saint Martin's Day together.
Festa di San Martino — edition 2026
The Festa di San Martino 2026 will be celebrated on November 11th in Piazza Giordano Bruno, in the San Martino district of Gubbio. The program follows tradition: at 6:30 PM, the free distribution of chestnuts and wine, with a tasting of polenta with pork rind and beans; at 7:00 PM, the Albero della Cuccagna competition, with teams of young Gubbio residents competing to climb the greased pole and reach the capon hanging at the top. A highly cherished festival of identity for the district's community.
Programme Festa di San Martino 2026
The festival takes place on the evening of November 11, 2026, in Piazza Giordano Bruno:
- 6:30 PM — Free distribution of chestnuts and wine and tasting of polenta with pork rind and beans, a typical peasant dish;
- 7:00 PM — Albero della Cuccagna competition: teams of young Gubbio residents compete to climb the greased pole and win the capon, sausages, cheeses, and bottles of wine hanging at the top.
The event is organized by the San Martino district and concludes in a popular festive atmosphere.
Highlights Festa di San Martino 2026
Prices Festa di San Martino 2026
Practical information — Festa di San Martino
How to get there
Gubbio can be reached by car from the E45 highway or by bus from Perugia and Fossato di Vico. The festival takes place in Piazza Giordano Bruno, in the San Martino district, in the historic center.
Admission
The event is free and outdoors. The distribution of chestnuts and wine and the 'Albero della Cuccagna' competition take place in the evening.
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Where does it take place — Festa di San Martino
Piazza Giordano Bruno, quartiere San Martino
Piazza Giordano Bruno, 06024 Gubbio