High Altitude Typical Potato Festival

A festival in the heart of the Modena Apennines

The High Altitude Typical Potato Festival takes place every autumn in Piandelagotti, a mountain hamlet in the Municipality of Frassinoro, in the province of Modena, in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. At over a thousand meters above sea level, in a landscape of woods, pastures, and ancient villages on the ridge, the event celebrates the symbol product of the territory: the high-altitude potato from Alta Val Dragone. It is one of the most beloved food and wine festivals of the Apennine Emilia-Romagna, capable of transforming the village square into a lively market of authentic flavors.

The potato of Piandelagotti: a story that began in 1925

The typical potato of Piandelagotti is no ordinary potato. Its cultivation began in 1925 thanks to Monsignor Adolfo Lunardi, an internationally renowned botanist linked to these places, who knew how to enhance the qualities of a tuber capable of thriving in the cool, breezy soils of the high mountains. Sown in mid-May and harvested between late September and early October, this potato is today a quality brand recognized by the Parks of Central Emilia, appreciated for its firm texture, intense flavor, and strong suitability for mountain cuisine.

The festival program

The festival, organized by the Pro Loco Piandelagotti, spans several days in October with a rich calendar of events for all ages. Traditional offerings include:

• the market of typical products in the square, with direct sales of freshly harvested potatoes;
• food stalls with fried gnocco, donuts, and the unmissable high-altitude French fries;
• an exhibition of agricultural equipment and local organic products;
• excursions and bike tours to discover the surroundings, featuring local stories and zero-kilometer lunches at local farms;
• musical entertainment and shows for children, such as magic shows.

Tradition, community, and mountains

More than just a festival, the Potato Festival is a moment of strong identity for the community of Piandelagotti and the entire Municipality of Frassinoro. It is an opportunity to rediscover the rhythms of the Apennine mountains, support local producers, and enjoy genuine cuisine tied to the land. For visitors from afar, it is also a way to explore a little-known corner of Emilia-Romagna, where peasant tradition remains alive and the high-altitude potato tells over a century of agricultural history.