Malalbergo Nettle Festival

A festival dedicated to a forgotten herb

In Malalbergo, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Bologna on the banks of the Reno River and crossed by the historic Via Porrettana, one of Emilia-Romagna's most original festivals takes place every late summer: the Nettle Festival. The idea behind it is simple and fascinating: to focus on nettles, a wild plant long considered a mere weed, to rediscover its culinary qualities and revive an otherwise neglected food.

Nettles in all their variations

The heart of the festival is the gastronomic stand set up in Piazza Primo Carlini, where volunteers prepare a menu entirely built around nettles. Among the first courses, the nettle tortellini with ragù, nettle tagliatelle, the characteristic green balanzoni, lasagne, and nettle pesto risotto stand out. Traditional Emilian main courses, with grilled meats, and side dishes like friggione and French fries are also available. It's an opportunity to savour the cuisine of the Bolognese lowlands in a new way.

Music, exhibitions, and community moments

In addition to food, the festival offers musical evenings and exhibitions in the squares adjacent to the gastronomic stand, with a musical event also in the park opposite. The atmosphere is typical of village festivals, where multiple generations gather around outdoor tables. A dedicated space with workshops for children is provided for AGEOP Ricerca, the association supporting paediatric onco-haematology at the Sant'Orsola Polyclinic in Bologna.

An event that does good

The Nettle Festival is distinguished by its deep-rooted solidarity. It is managed entirely by volunteers, and a large part of the proceeds are distributed locally: to schools, parish kindergartens, civil protection, sports, and cultural associations. A significant portion is also allocated to paediatric oncology research. Eating well here also means contributing to a good cause.

When and where

The festival traditionally takes place between the end of August and the beginning of September, spread over two weekends. The gastronomic stand opens in the evening, around 7:00 PM, with reservations recommended due to the crowds. Malalbergo is easily accessible from Bologna and Ferrara, along the Via Porrettana axis, and is an ideal destination for an evening of flavour in the Emilian countryside.