Polentone di Retorbido

A festival spanning a century

The Polentone di Retorbido is one of the oldest and most representative events in Oltrepò Pavese, in the Province of Pavia. With its 106th edition, the festival boasts an over-a-century-long history, making it one of the most cherished events in the area, organised by the Nuova Pro Loco di Retorbido.

Polenta in the copper pot

The highlight is the free distribution of polenta and salami, prepared traditionally in a large copper pot and offered in the afternoon. It is the ritual that gives the festival its name and annually gathers hundreds of people in the town centre, in a gesture of sharing rooted in the rural culture of Oltrepò.

Bertoldo and peasant culture

The festival celebrates the folkloric figure of Bertoldo, a character created by the 17th-century writer Giulio Cesare Croce: a symbol of peasant ingenuity and popular wisdom. The Polentone is a tribute to this culture of wit, spirit, and community values, intertwined with the carnival celebrations.

Allegorical floats, crafts, and fun

Around the polenta distribution, the day comes alive with the parade of allegorical floats, craft stands, an exhibition of paintings by local artists, street musicians, fairground rides, and even a themed escape room. Retorbido thus transforms into a large open-air festival that combines tradition and entertainment for all ages.