Pane al Pane – A Tribute to Monferrato Bread

A festival dedicated to the bread of Monferrato

Pane al Pane – A Tribute to Monferrato Bread is one of the most cherished events in the Asti calendar. It takes place in the medieval village of Montemagno Monferrato, a small town in the province of Asti, in the heart of the Piedmontese Monferrato. Established in 2001 to recover and celebrate the memory of the village's ancient ovens, the festival has been awarded the "Quality Festival" recognition by the Unpli and is now a highly anticipated event for the entire Piedmont region.

The grissia monferrina, the absolute star

At the heart of the festival is the grissia monferrina, a traditional hard-dough bread with a characteristic shape reminiscent of two joined snails, featuring a crunchy crust and soft crumb. Along with other specialties like the Tirà and bread cake, the grissia has represented the gastronomic soul of Montemagno for generations, preserved by the village's five historic ovens. The event celebrates this tradition with tastings, demonstrations, and meetings dedicated to ancient grains and local, zero-mile flours.

Three days of events through the village streets

The festival spans an entire weekend, alternating between culture, art, and gastronomy:

• Friday: Opening with a theatrical evening, the result of the local school students' work, dedicated to the intersection of music and literature.
• Saturday: Art and sculpture exhibitions, the sensory tasting "Bread and Oil: The Emotions of Yesteryear" guided by an olive oil sommelier, and in the evening, food and wine stands and live music in Piazza del Castello.
• Sunday: The highlight day featuring the food, wine, and craft market, meetings with grain producers and bakers, the "Ancient Grains and Local Flours" discussion, the "Pompieropoli" children's area hosted by the Fire Brigade, and the evocative parade of the Aleramica association's flag-wavers.

Flavors and culture of the territory

Amidst historic alleys and baroque squares, visitors can savor excellent local gastronomy and street food, explore art exhibitions, participate in discussions on short and organic supply chains, and get involved in entertainment and historical demonstrations. An event that unites taste, memory, and the identity of the Monferrato, enhancing the bond between Montemagno and its bread.