Hare and Wild Boar Festival

A community festival in the Pisan hills

The Hare and Wild Boar Festival takes place in Selvatelle, a small village in the Municipality of Terricciola, in the heart of the Province of Pisa hills, in Tuscany. Established in 1988, it is one of the most beloved autumn food and wine events in the region: every year, it brings the whole village together around a tradition built on volunteer work, conviviality, and a love for game meat cuisine.

The event is much more than just a dining experience: it is the result of the hard work of local associations, from the La Selva Association to the Il Gelso club, and from the San Martino Philharmonic to the Misericordia of Selvatelle. An organizational machine entirely powered by volunteers, which has been bringing weekends to life between late September and October for nearly forty years.

The flavors of Tuscan game

The heart of the festival is the kitchen, guardian of the authentic flavors of the Pisan hills. The menu celebrates hare and wild boar, the undisputed stars of local hunting tradition, in dishes that evoke long preparation times and patient cooking:

• Pappardelle with hare sauce, the event's signature dish
• Jugged hare, slow-stewed according to traditional recipes
• Wild boar stew and other game preparations
• Appetizers and side dishes featuring polenta, including fried versions
• Grilled meats, from sausages to roasts
• Traditional desserts, such as cantucci with Vin Santo

The food stands, set up in covered areas, welcome visitors on Saturday evenings and on Sundays for both lunch and dinner. Given the high turnout, booking via the form indicated on the flyer or by calling the organizers is recommended.

Beyond the table

Alongside the food, the festival offers a rich calendar of activities designed for the entertainment and social enjoyment of all ages: musical evenings, dog walks, the now-famous panforte throwing tournament, and festive moments that keep the village lively until late at night. Throughout the event, a wine bar managed by the youth group of Selvatelle is open, while the Misericordia organizes a charity fair to support volunteer activities.

An autumn experience to enjoy

Nestled in the hilly landscape between vineyards and woods, just a few kilometers from Pontedera and the Valdera area, the Hare and Wild Boar Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover authentic, lesser-known Tuscany: the land of small villages, rustic cuisine, and heartfelt local festivals. A genuine experience, far from the usual tourist circuits, where every dish tells the story of a community.