Festa nell'Aia

A festival that revives the rural world

The Festa nell'Aia is one of the most cherished events in Roccastrada, located in the Province of Grosseto, in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. For four days, the town steps back in time to rediscover the traditions of peasant life, when wheat threshing was a cornerstone of the agricultural cycle, shared by the community through both hard work and celebration. The re-enactment takes place at the former sports field on Via Carducci, transformed for the occasion into a traditional farmyard.

Threshing and the grain cycle

The heart of the festival is the live demonstration of stationary threshing, featuring historic threshing machines and vintage tractors brought back to life. Visitors of all ages can follow the entire grain cycle: from processing to the production of homemade bread, following every step just as it was done in the Maremma countryside. It is both an educational and nostalgic experience, telling the story of an era when field work defined the rhythm of local life.

Farm animals and the farmyard atmosphere

The farmyard comes alive with numerous animals: horses, Maremma cattle, donkeys, sheep, geese, and chickens. Children can get up close to the animals and try activities like milking, while every evening concludes with the famous 'haystack raid', the most anticipated moment for kids to dive into the hay. The event also features horse shows, falconry displays, dog training demonstrations, and gatherings of historic vehicles like vintage tractors and cars.

Traditional Maremma country cooking

Every evening, starting at 6:00 PM, food stands serve a peasant menu based on Maremma traditions: tagliatelle with duck sauce, country-style salt cod, stewed duck, tripe, anchovies with pesto, fried polenta, freshly baked bread, and local wines. It is the perfect opportunity to savor the most genuine dishes of Roccastrada, accompanied by folk music, singing, dancing, and Tuscan folkloric re-enactments.

A local tradition

Sponsored by the Municipality of Roccastrada, the Festa nell'Aia is now a staple of the Maremma summer, included in the local municipal calendar. It combines the preservation of rural memory with the conviviality of a great village festival, making it an ideal stop for anyone visiting the Maremma in July who wants to discover the most authentic soul of rural Tuscany.