Marzuolo Truffle Festival

The Marzuolo truffle, a spring treasure of the Florentine hills

The Marzuolo Truffle Festival in Montespertoli, within the Metropolitan City of Florence, celebrates one of Tuscany's most discreet and refined treasures: the marzuolo truffle (Tuber borchii). This spring variety, known for its intense yet delicate aroma, grows wild in the woods and hills of the Lower Val d'Elsa. Unlike the famous autumn white truffle, the marzuolo matures between late winter and early spring, reaching its peak in March, which is why the festival is traditionally held over two weekends during this month.

A festival born from the passion of truffle hunters

The event is organized by the Associazione Tartufai delle Colline della Bassa Val d'Elsa, founded in Certaldo in 1992 to protect and promote local truffles and the tradition of truffle hunting. The association members themselves, who possess deep knowledge of the land, harvest the truffles and serve them directly to the table, ensuring a level of freshness and authenticity that makes this festival a genuine, grassroots experience far removed from commercial interests.

The Parco Urbano of Montespertoli, the heart of the event

The festival takes place at the Parco Urbano of Montespertoli, on Via Aldo Moro, in heated indoor spaces that ensure maximum comfort even during the crisp March temperatures. Here, you will find the food stalls where the marzuolo truffle takes center stage in a rich and fragrant menu.

What to eat

The common thread throughout the menu is, of course, the marzuolo truffle, expertly paired with traditional Tuscan products:

• Truffle appetizers and polenta crostini enhanced by fragrant shavings of marzuolo;
• Tagliolini and ravioli elevated by the unmistakable aroma of truffles;
• Carpaccio with Parmesan and truffle;
• Main courses such as tagliata (sliced steak) and truffled arista (roast pork loin);
• Homemade desserts, cantuccini, and vin santo, accompanied by local wines.

Montespertoli, a land of wine and rolling hills

Situated between the Val d'Elsa and the Val di Pesa, Montespertoli is one of the most picturesque villages in the hills southwest of Florence, also famous for its long winemaking tradition linked to Chianti. The Marzuolo Truffle Festival fits perfectly into this landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and woods, offering the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Tuscan countryside while combining the pleasures of the table with the beauty of the territory.