L'Ambra di Talamello — Cheese in the Pit Fair

L'Ambra di Talamello, the cheese sung by Tonino Guerra

In Talamello, a small municipality in the Alta Valmarecchia area of Rimini province, pit-aged cheese is not just a typical product: it's an identity. Every November, the "L'Ambra di Talamello" Cheese in the Pit Fair fills the village streets to celebrate this ancient excellence, which the poet and screenwriter Tonino Guerra, originally from this area, poetically renamed "Ambra" (Amber) for its golden hues, intoxicating aroma, and irresistible flavour.

The tradition of sandstone pits

The practice of aging cheese in pits dug into sandstone rock dates back to the Middle Ages. The cheese wheels are wrapped in cloths and lowered into the pits, where they rest for over three months in darkness, in a natural environment that concentrates their aromas and scents. The result is the famous Formaggio di Fossa di Sogliano DOP, with its intense and slightly spicy flavour, a gastronomic symbol of Romagna's Montefeltro region.

The "sfossatura", the fair's highlight

The heart of the event is the "sfossatura": from the morning onwards, visitors can witness the opening of the pits and the retrieval of the cheese wheels that have been buried for months. It's a collective and spectacular ritual, attracting curious visitors, food lovers, and folk tradition enthusiasts from all over Romagna to the village.

A village that becomes a terrace of taste

During the two Sundays of the fair, the historic centre of Talamello comes alive with numerous offerings:

• Pro Loco stands with typical dishes prepared with pit-aged cheese;
• DiVin Fossa, a route of itinerant wine tastings in the pits and historic taverns of the village;
• Craftspeople and merchants of typical products along the village streets;
• Gastronomic partnerships with other regional Italian excellences, paired with L'Ambra di Talamello;
• Roaming music, shows, and cultural events at the Gualtieri Museum.

In the heart of Montefeltro

Organized by the Pro Loco of Talamello with the support of the Municipality, the fair is one of the most characteristic autumn food and wine events in Emilia-Romagna. Visiting it means discovering an authentic Montefeltro village, its medieval traditions, and the genuine flavours of the Valmarecchia, just a few kilometres from San Leo and the Rimini Riviera.