Fig Festival

A September tradition in the hills of Carmignano

When September arrives and the figs ripen on the Montalbano hills, the small village of Bacchereto, in the Municipality of Carmignano (Province of Prato, Tuscany), comes alive for the Fig Festival. Organized for nearly fifty years by the Polisportiva Bacchereto with the tireless help of volunteers, it has become one of the most popular and cherished festivals in the Prato area, drawing visitors from all over Tuscany for two weekends of celebration.

The Carmignano dried fig, the absolute star

The heart of the event is the Carmignano dried fig, a Slow Food Presidium since 2001. This product has ancient roots: as early as the 15th century, the Prato merchant Francesco Datini mentioned it in his papers, and in modern times, Filippo Mazzei brought it to America along with Carmignano wine. The harvested figs are opened, laid out on mats, sun-dried for several days, and then stored until the gruma—a sugary veil—appears on the surface. They are then paired in a figure-eight shape, the famous picce, with anise seeds inserted between the fruits. Once a humble peasant food, it has become a recognized excellence of Tuscan gastronomy.

Dining on traditional flavors

The food stands are the true engine of the festival. Every evening, a different dish of the day is offered alongside the great classics of local peasant cuisine. Specialties featured in past editions include:

• penne with figs, the festival's signature dish;
• wild boar rigatoni and hare pappardelle, featuring game from the hills;
• polenta with mushrooms and other local traditional dishes;
• fresh and dried figs paired with cured meats and cheeses, and homemade desserts;
• local wines, starting with the Carmignano DOCG.

More than just food: music, markets, and culture

Beyond the table, the Fig Festival offers live music and dancing, craft and local product markets, card tournaments (briscola and burraco), and moments dedicated to the village's culture. Recent editions have featured exhibitions of antique majolica, guided tours of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, archery demonstrations, as well as educational workshops and visits to local oil mills and farms.

Bacchereto and the Montalbano

The festival is also an opportunity to discover Bacchereto and the Montalbano landscape, a land of wine, oil, and olive trees that frames Carmignano. An excursion through hills, wineries, and ancient farms that tells the story of the most authentic Tuscany, far from the main tourist flows, where peasant tradition is still alive.