Porcino Mushroom Festival

The porcino mushroom festival in the Santerno Valley

The Porcino Mushroom Festival is the highlight event of the summer in Castel del Rio, a small village in the Province of Bologna nestled in the Santerno Valley, along the historic Strada Montanara that has always connected the Emilia plain to Tuscany. Organized by the Pro Loco Alidosiana, the festival transforms the town into a grand stage of taste for two weekends in August, attracting thousands of people from Emilia-Romagna and neighboring regions.

The star: the Apennine porcino

The porcino mushrooms of the Bolognese Apennines are renowned for their intense flavor and superior quality, a result of the chestnut and beech woods surrounding the village. It is to them that the festival pays homage, offering them in all traditional variations: from appetizers to first courses, from main courses to side dishes. A true immersion into the flavors of the Apennine undergrowth, in one of the most evocative seasons to visit these hills.

Gastronomy and atmosphere

The heart of the festival is the large tent set up by the Pro Loco, which seats hundreds. On the table, you'll find tagliatelle alla boscaiola, tortelli, fried porcini, polenta with mushrooms, and fragrant meat dishes, with menus also designed for those seeking gluten-free or mushroom-free alternatives. Along the streets of the center and in Piazza della Repubblica, stalls selling local products and crafts complete the experience, while live music and shows liven up the village every evening until late at night.

A village tradition

Born in the 1980s, the Porcino Mushroom Festival has become a symbol of the identity of Castel del Rio and the entire valley community over the years. Behind the event is the voluntary work of many local associations, from the Pro Loco to the sports group, who renew the appointment every summer. More than just a gastronomic festival, it is a popular celebration that tells the deep connection between this Apennine territory, its woods, and its cuisine.

What to see in Castel del Rio

A visit to the festival is also an opportunity to discover the village: the monumental Palazzo Alidosi, the Renaissance residence of the family that gave its name to the "Sagre Alidosiane," and the famous Ponte Alidosi, a striking 16th-century humpback bridge spanning the Santerno River. A historical heritage that makes Castel del Rio a fascinating destination in the Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines.