Prugnolo Mushroom Festival

The Prugnolo Mushroom Festival in Cusercoli

The Prugnolo Mushroom Festival is one of the most beloved spring events in the Bidente Valley. It takes place in Cusercoli, a charming hamlet of the Municipality of Civitella di Romagna, in the province of Forlì-Cesena (Emilia-Romagna), a small medieval gem nestled on the right bank of the Bidente river, between Meldola and Civitella. Organized by the Pro Loco Chiusa d'Ercole with the support of the Municipality of Civitella, GAL L'Altra Romagna, the Region, and UNPLI, the event unfolds over two consecutive Sundays in May.

The protagonist: the prugnolo

At the heart of the festival is the prugnolo (Lyophyllum gambosum), also known as Saint George's mushroom because it appears around the saint's feast day, at the end of April. It is a rare and prized mushroom that grows in hilly and mountainous areas, recognizable by its fleshy cap with folded edges, cream-white in colour, and its pale gills and stem. Its harvesting season runs from mid-April to mid-June, and it is this intense and delicate aroma that draws gourmets and enthusiasts to Cusercoli every year.

Between gastronomy, markets, and heritage

Piazza Don Luigi Brighi hosts the Arts and Crafts Market, a market for garden and ornamental plants, and stalls of agri-food vendors, alongside food stalls where the prugnolo is offered in numerous delicious variations: with tagliatelle, on crostini, in omelettes, fragrant soups, and baked dishes. The village streets are enlivened by folk music. The Cusercoli Castle complex and the Church of San Bonifacio host fascinating painting and photography exhibitions: the Castle, its Hanging Gardens, the church, and the bas-reliefs in the Sundial Hall can be visited. The highlight is the Golden Prugnolo of Romagna ceremony, an award given to the most impressive mushroom exhibited by pickers and wholesalers.

A village to discover

Visiting the Prugnolo Mushroom Festival also means discovering Cusercoli and the Bidente Valley, an Apennine territory rich in history, nature, and food and wine traditions. Admission to the event is free, and the intimate atmosphere of the village makes the day an authentic experience, far from mass tourism.