Midsummer Festival and Acquacotta Festival

A festival in the heart of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines

The Midsummer Festival and Acquacotta Festival takes place in Montecoronaro, a small hamlet in the Municipality of Verghereto, in the Province of Forlì-Cesena, in the southernmost part of Emilia-Romagna. The village is located at about 900 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Fumaiolo, the mountain near whose summit the Tiber River is born: a setting of beech and fir woods that frames one of the most heartfelt summer festivals of the upper Savio valley.

The event, which has over fifty years of history for the Midsummer Festival, combines two souls: that of the traditional village festival and that, more recent, of the Festival dedicated to acquacotta. For two days, the village alleys fill with people, scents, and music, with fires crackling at sunset and the typical atmosphere of Apennine festivals.

Acquacotta, the humble dish that evokes memories

The heart of the festival is acquacotta, the ancient dish of peasant cuisine born from the need not to waste anything. Originally, it was a very simple soup, made of bread combined with a few vegetables and a hot broth. Today, it is prepared and served enriched according to the local recipe, with onion, tomato, herbs, toasted bread, pecorino cheese, and eggs: a dish that tells the story and identity of this mountain corner.

Alongside acquacotta, the Pro Loco's food stands offer the best of local cuisine: polenta, tagliatelle, wild boar, and grilled meats, to be enjoyed for lunch and dinner in the village spaces, with take-away options available.

Traditions, music, and sports

The festival is not just about food. The program typically includes musical entertainment, markets, attractions for all ages, and entertainment that livens up the village streets. There is also space for sports, with mountain bike races that traditionally see Montecoronaro host a stage of the Romagna Bike Cup on the Fumaiolo trails.

It's the ideal opportunity to discover an authentic Apennine village in the Forlì area, far from the most crowded circuits, and to experience the conviviality of a community that has preserved its flavors and traditions for generations.

Why it's worth it

• An iconic dish, acquacotta, served according to the local peasant tradition recipe.
• A mountain village at 900 meters, a stone's throw from the Tiber River's source and Mount Fumaiolo.
• Food stands with Romagnolo and Apennine specialties at popular prices.
• Musical entertainment, markets, and mountain bike races for a festive weekend.