Miseria Festival

The Miseria Festival in Colle di Val d'Elsa

In the medieval village of Colle Alta, within the municipality of Colle di Val d'Elsa in the province of Siena, the Miseria Festival stands as one of the oldest and most characteristic gastronomic events in Tuscany. Throughout every weekend in June, the scenic Piazza Santa Caterina d'Alessandria fills with long tables, enticing aromas, and lively chatter: it is the collective ritual of a community rediscovering, evening after evening, the simplest and most authentic dishes of its heritage.

A festival born from the parish

The festival began in 1986 from an idea by three parishioners who wanted to raise funds for the feast of the Madonna Addolorata. Since that first edition nearly forty years ago, the event has grown into an unmissable appointment for locals and the many tourists who climb up to Colle Alta. It is still entirely organized today by the Pastoral Unit of the Parishes of Colle Alta, thanks to the hard work of dozens of volunteers of all ages: from those in the kitchen to those serving at the tables, cleaning, and tidying up. The proceeds support religious festivities and local charitable works.

Dishes of the peasant tradition

The very name, "Miseria" (Poverty), is a proud homage to Tuscan peasant cuisine: recipes born from the necessity of wasting nothing, which have become true masterpieces of flavor over time. At the stalls, you can taste:

• Bread soup, chickpea soup, and spelt soup
• Panzanella and pappa al pomodoro
• Porchetta and salt cod (baccalà)
• Sausage and beans
• Bruschetta, anchovies, and meatballs
• Homemade desserts

The most anticipated specialty is the gota cotta, an authentic gastronomic excellence that only Colle di Val d'Elsa can offer in this region.

The atmosphere of the village

Dining in the square of Colle Alta means immersing yourself in the colors, flavors, and sounds of an ancient medieval village. Admission is free and dishes are offered at popular prices, in the convivial and accessible spirit that has always distinguished Tuscan festivals. It is the perfect opportunity to combine a stroll through the alleys and historic buildings of Colle Alta with a simple, genuine dinner under the stars.