Polentone Festival

The festival that Molare waits for all year

In the heart of the Ovada area, at the foot of the Apennines and just a few kilometers from Ovada, the small town of Molare (Alessandria province, Piedmont) experiences its most anticipated moment every summer: the Polentone Festival. It is much more than just a gastronomic feast; it is a ritual that, as the locals say, they wait for twelve months to celebrate. For three evenings, the historic center transforms into a large community gathering where people eat, dance, and renew an ancient custom that smells of tradition and life as it once was.

A legend dating back to 1730

The origins of the Polentone are rooted in a story that tradition traces back to 1730. It is said that some inhabitants of the hamlets of Molare, returning from church on the first day of Lent, were caught in a heavy snowfall and sought shelter under a canopy. Count Gaioli Boidi passed by and, moved to compassion, invited them into his castle, ordering "polenta and salt cod for everyone." The travelers, however, preferred to eat their meal under the canopy, and from that act of charity, the custom of preparing polenta in the square for the entire community was born. Originally celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent, then moved to June and March, the festival is now held on the last weekend of August.

The ritual of the cauldron and the serving

The heart of the festival is the preparation of the polentone: a dozen cooks gradually pour sifted flour into the enormous copper cauldron, stirring constantly. At the end comes the most spectacular moment, the scodellamento (the serving): the contents of the cauldron are turned out onto a large wooden board, beaten, and smoothed out in front of the crowd before being served with fried cod. The distribution takes place in the Town Hall square on Sunday evening, the grand finale of the three-day festival.

Flavors, sports, and devotion

Alongside the polentone, the gastronomic evenings offer dishes from Molare's local cuisine: traditional first courses, grilled meats, desserts, and the famous fried polenta, served only on Sunday. The festival is intertwined with the StraMolare, a 5.5 km running race organized by Team Martin 01, which starts in the evening and includes events for younger participants and those who prefer a fun walk. The religious dimension is entrusted to the devotion to Saint Bernard, the patron saint of Molare. Musical entertainment and games for children complete a program designed for the whole family.

Organized by the Pro Loco of Molare with the support of the Municipality, the Polentone Festival is one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Upper Monferrato and Ovada areas: an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Alessandria province, far from the most beaten tourist paths.