Festival of Forest Fruits and Artistic Handicrafts
An autumn day of porcini, chestnuts, and crafts in the medieval village of Portico di Romagna
About Festival of Forest Fruits
An autumn festival in the heart of Tuscan Romagna
The Festival of Forest Fruits and Artistic Handicrafts is one of the most cherished autumn events in the upper Montone valley, in the Municipality of Portico e San Benedetto, in the Province of Forlì-Cesena (Emilia-Romagna). Established in 1981, the event is organized by the Pro Loco of Portico di Romagna and is traditionally held on the second Sunday of October, when the Apennine forest yields its most precious fruits.
Forest Fruits
The heart of the festival lies in the wild forest products and the typical flavors of the Apennine autumn. Along Via Roma and through the streets of the historic center, you'll find a rich market exhibition dedicated to:
- Porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, and truffles from Tuscan Romagna
- Chestnuts, marrons, and chestnut cake
- Jujubes, walnuts, and apples of local varieties
- Honey, jams, and other typical local products
A mycological exhibition curated by the Mycological Group of Forlì, held at the "Iris Versari" Theater, allows visitors to identify forest mushroom species, while a photographic exhibition dedicated to the natural environment is housed within the evocative Portinari Tower.
Artistic Handicrafts and Culture
Alongside the flavors, the festival pays great attention to artistic handicrafts: ceramics, wrought iron, chair caning, woven baskets, and other traditional crafts. Exhibitions of painting, sculpture, graphics, and photography enrich the day, transforming the village into an open-air gallery.
The village of Portico di Romagna
The setting is Portico di Romagna, an ancient medieval village nestled in the hills on the border with Tuscany, traditionally linked to the Portinari family and the figure of Beatrice, Dante's muse. The Portinari Tower, the bridge over the Montone river, and the stone palaces provide a natural backdrop for a festival that combines taste, nature, and history.
Gastronomy and Atmosphere
The Pro Loco's gastronomic stands offer autumn dishes from Romagna and Tuscan cuisine: polenta with ragù and porcini mushrooms, cappelletti pasta, wild boar stew, sautéed porcini mushrooms, crostini, and chestnut cake. The day is marked by live music in the afternoon and workshops and games for children, in an atmosphere of an authentic and welcoming village festival.
Festival of Forest Fruits — edition 2026
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Portico di Romagna will host the 44th edition of the Festival of Forest Fruits and Artistic Handicrafts. The date is registered in the official calendar of public area fairs of the Emilia-Romagna Region, with the market exhibition occupying the streets of the historic center throughout the day.
As tradition dictates, the day will combine the sale of forest products and local crafts with cultural exhibitions, Romagna gastronomy, and live music. The detailed program, with schedules, exhibitors, and events, will be published by the Pro Loco of Portico di Romagna in the weeks preceding the event.
Programme Festival of Forest Fruits 2026
The detailed program for the 44th edition will be announced by the Pro Loco of Portico di Romagna in the weeks leading up to the festival, approximately from the end of September 2026.
Based on previous editions, the day unfolds as follows:
- Morning — opening of the forest fruits and artistic handicrafts market exhibition along the streets of the historic center; opening of the mycological exhibition by the Mycological Group of Forlì at the "Iris Versari" Theater and the photographic exhibition in the Portinari Tower.
- Around 11:30 AM — opening of the Pro Loco gastronomic stands with autumn Romagna dishes.
- Afternoon — live music in the village streets, workshops and games for children, exhibitions of painting, sculpture, and graphics.
Highlights Festival of Forest Fruits 2026
- Forest fruits market exhibition: porcini mushrooms, truffles, chestnuts, jujubes, and walnuts
- Mycological exhibition by the Mycological Group of Forlì at the "Iris Versari" Theater
- Environmental photographic exhibition in the Portinari Tower
- Gastronomic stands with polenta with porcini mushrooms, cappelletti, and wild boar stew
- Live music and family activities in the medieval village
Prices Festival of Forest Fruits 2026
Practical information — Festival of Forest Fruits
How to get there
Portico di Romagna is located along the SP3 of Passo del Muraglione, about 35 km from Forlì. By car: from Forlì, follow the road towards Rocca San Casciano and Portico. The nearest train station is Forlì, on the Bologna-Rimini line, from which you can continue by car or bus.
Hours and admission
The festival takes place throughout the day, typically from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Admission to the event is free; you only pay for what you consume at the gastronomic stands.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes to walk through the cobbled streets of the village and arrive in the morning for the mycological exhibition and to stock up on forest products before the stands open for lunch.
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Where does it take place — Festival of Forest Fruits
Centro storico di Portico di Romagna
Via Roma, 47010 Portico e San Benedetto