Giaggiolo Festival
The blooming of the iris pallida in Pratomagno: a celebration of nature, tradition, and sustainability at the Abbey of Soffena
About Giaggiolo Festival
The festival celebrating the blue gold of the Valdarno
The Giaggiolo Festival is an annual event held every May to pay tribute to the iris pallida—the giaggiolo—a flower that has colored the slopes of the Pratomagno for centuries and represents one of the most precious agricultural traditions of Castelfranco Piandiscò, a municipality in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. The cultivation of the iris rhizome, used to extract essences for high-quality perfumes and cosmetics, is a cultural heritage that the festival brings back to the forefront.
The heart of the event: the Abbey of Soffena
The event takes place at the Abbey of San Salvatore a Soffena, a stunning Vallombrosan monastic complex nestled in the greenery of the Soffena hamlet. It is here, between the abbey's lawn and the blooming fields, that the two-day festival unfolds in an atmosphere that blends spirituality, landscape, and conviviality.
Program and activities
The festival offers a rich calendar designed for the whole family:
- Giaggiolo Walk: a guided trek through the blooming fields, meeting at 8:30 AM.
- Market exhibition: stalls featuring iris-based cosmetics and perfumes, as well as local specialties like Pratomagno gin and giaggiolo-infused vermouth.
- Food stalls managed by local Pro Loco associations, serving traditional Tuscan dishes.
- Demonstrations of iris rhizome processing and art exhibitions.
- Children's area managed by Animarte, with games, creative workshops, and shows.
- Live music and afternoon aperitifs.
The sustainability conference
A key highlight is the conference dedicated to the value of sustainability, which explores the link between the iris supply chain, agro-biodiversity, and regional development. Castelfranco Piandiscò, a municipality certified by the Sustainable Municipalities Network, uses this occasion to present its sustainability report, integrating the festival into the broader Sustainable Development Festival promoted by ASviS.
A tradition looking to the future
Born to rediscover and promote an ancient crop, the Giaggiolo Festival has grown rapidly to become a landmark for those wishing to discover the authentic face of the Valdarno area in Arezzo. Between the scent of the blooming iris, artisanal products, fine food, and the historic spaces of the Abbey of Soffena, the event offers a complete experience that tells the story of the identity of Castelfranco Piandiscò and all of Tuscany.
Giaggiolo Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition — The value of sustainability
The second Giaggiolo Festival was held on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Abbey of San Salvatore a Soffena, focusing on the theme "The value of sustainability" and participating in the ASviS Sustainable Development Festival.
Both days began at 8:30 AM with the Giaggiolo Walk through the blooming fields. From 10:00 AM, the market stalls opened, featuring iris-based cosmetics and perfumes, Pratomagno gin, and giaggiolo vermouth, alongside the Pro Loco food stalls.
The program included demonstrations of rhizome processing, art exhibitions featuring works by Debora Vella, Fabio Bondi, Franco Gualdani, and Daniele De Naro, the screening of the documentary "Setteponti," and a children's area managed by Animarte. On Saturday afternoon, there was an aperitif and live music with "La Zia."
On Sunday, May 10, at 10:00 AM, the conference "Giaggiolo: the value of sustainability" took place, featuring the presentation of the municipality's sustainability report. In the afternoon, at 5:00 PM, the President of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, spoke, followed by the painting competition awards ceremony and music by the 883 tribute band.
Programme Giaggiolo Festival 2026
Saturday, May 9
- 8:30 AM — Giaggiolo Walk (meeting point, booking recommended)
- From 10:00 AM — Market opening (iris cosmetics and perfumes, Pratomagno gin, vermouth), Pro Loco food stalls
- Rhizome processing demonstrations, art exhibitions (Debora Vella, Fabio Bondi, Franco Gualdani, Daniele De Naro)
- Screening of the documentary "Setteponti"
- Children's area by Animarte, with workshops and shows
- 3:00 PM — Presentation of the school painting project
- 5:30 PM — Aperitif and live music with "La Zia"
Sunday, May 10
- 8:30 AM — Giaggiolo Walk
- From 10:00 AM — Market, food stalls, children's activities
- 10:00 AM — Conference "Giaggiolo: the value of sustainability" at the Abbey of Soffena, with presentation of the municipality's sustainability report
- 5:00 PM — Speech by the President of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani and painting competition awards
- 5:30 PM — Live music with the 883 tribute band
Highlights Giaggiolo Festival 2026
- Guided walk through the blooming iris pallida fields
- Conference "Giaggiolo: the value of sustainability" as part of the ASviS Sustainable Development Festival
- Attendance of the President of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani
- Market exhibition of iris cosmetics and perfumes, Pratomagno gin, and vermouth
- "Setteponti" documentary and art exhibitions
Prices Giaggiolo Festival 2026
Practical information — Giaggiolo Festival
Location
Abbey of San Salvatore a Soffena, Soffena area, Castelfranco Piandiscò (AR), Tuscany.
How to get there
By car: take the Valdarno exit on the A1 Milan-Naples motorway, then follow signs for Castelfranco-Piandiscò and Soffena. By train: San Giovanni Valdarno or Montevarchi station on the Florence-Rome line, continuing by bus or car.
Admission
Free entry to all areas of the event.
Information
For Giaggiolo Walk bookings and general information: call +39 339 8107582. Municipality of Castelfranco Piandiscò.
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Where does it take place — Giaggiolo Festival
Abbazia di San Salvatore a Soffena
Località Soffena, 52026 Castelfranco Piandiscò