Leguminaria

A festival that tells the story of the Marche land

Every autumn, the village of Appignano, a small municipality in the province of Macerata nestled among the rolling hills of the Marche region, transforms into the capital of legumes. Leguminaria was created to highlight the value of the so-called "poor dishes" of the Marche peasant tradition, those that once filled family tables and are now protagonists again thanks to the rediscovery of local products and old recipes.

The stars: chickpeas, beans, and lentils

At the center of the event are three varieties of legumes deeply connected to the territory: the solfì bean, the quercia chickpea, and the lentil, cultivated by local farms with a focus on sustainable agriculture and the recovery of endangered varieties. In the taverns set up in the historic center, dishes are served that combine nostalgic recipes with innovative proposals, strictly presented in ancient pots, valuable pieces of artisanal ceramics.

The link with ceramics

Appignano is indeed one of Italy's Ceramic Cities, and this vocation can be felt in every corner of the festival. Alongside the taverns, BorgoCeramica comes to life, a market exhibition dedicated to traditional and modern ceramics, while the national competition CeramicAppignano attracts artists and master potters from all over Italy. During the event, the city's museums, from the Ceramic Museum to the loom museum, also remain open, and there are live demonstrations such as the opening of the kiln and fire shows.

Between shows, bicycles, and tradition

Leguminaria is not just about taste: the program includes concerts, street theater, juggling, the painting competition PitturAppignano, the Legu-bike cycling event with a vintage car and motorcycle rally, guided tours Urban LeguTour, and the performance of the Città di Appignano Band. For the little ones, there are workshops, games, and pony rides.

A recognized quality festival

In March 2026, in the Koch Hall of the Senate of the Republic, Leguminaria received the national Sagra di Qualità mark from UNPLI, an award reserved for events that promote typical products, traditional recipes, and customs deeply rooted in the territory. The event is also an official stop on the Grand Tour delle Marche and takes place in collaboration with Tipicità.