QuintEssenza
Herbs, flowers, spices, and gardens in the heart of Savigliano
About QuintEssenza
QuintEssenza, the scent of spring in Savigliano
Every year in mid-May, the historic center of Savigliano (Province of Cuneo, Piedmont) dresses in green and fills with fragrance to host QuintEssenza, a major market exhibition dedicated to the world of medicinal herbs, flowers, spices, and gardening. Organized by the Fondazione Ente Manifestazioni Savigliano, the event attracts thousands of visitors who spend the day strolling through the city's squares and arcades, which are transformed into a vast open-air garden.
Squares turned into a sprawling garden
The heart of the festival is Piazza Santarosa, renamed the "Herb Square" for the occasion, which hosts exhibitors of medicinal herbs, natural essences, and wellness products. Piazza Cesare Battisti becomes an "Open-Air Garden," while Piazza Molineri welcomes nursery gardeners and gardening enthusiasts with the "Green and Fragrance Island." The city streets—via Alfieri, via Sant'Andrea, via Torino, and corso Roma—are dedicated to hobbyists and artisans, while Piazza Cavour showcases local gastronomic excellence with the presence of Coldiretti and Confagricoltura.
Workshops, talks, and culture
QuintEssenza is more than just a market; it is an experiential journey. The cloisters of Santa Monica and San Pietro, along with Piazza Turletti, host dozens of educational workshops for adults and children, ranging from soap and perfume making to recreational activities. A special role is played by Múses - European Academy of Essences, housed in the historic Palazzo Taffini Acceglio, which offers guided tours, olfactory ateliers, and sensory paths in its garden of the senses. The program also includes a Talk Area with thematic meetings and book presentations, guided tours of the city and the herbal botanical garden, and theatrical performances for families.
A deeply rooted local event
Now in its twenty-seventh edition, QuintEssenza has established itself as one of the most beloved spring appointments in the Savigliano and Cuneo area. The collaboration with the University and the Herbal Techniques course, along with local cultural associations and operators, gives the event a dimension that combines scientific outreach, herbal tradition, and the promotion of the southern Piedmont territory.
Why it's worth the trip
- Over fifty exhibitors of herbs, spices, flowers, and aromatic plants
- Free and paid workshops for adults and children
- Visits to Múses, the only perfume museum of its kind
- Talks, book presentations, and theatrical performances
- Free admission to the historic center
QuintEssenza — edition 2026
The 27th edition of QuintEssenza brought a full day dedicated to the world of herbs, flowers, and spices to Savigliano. Piazza Santarosa became the "Herb Square," Piazza Cesare Battisti an "Open-Air Garden," and Piazza Molineri the "Green and Fragrance Island." With workshops for children and adults, a Talk Area, visits to Múses, and theatrical performances, the event confirmed its role as a key appointment of the Savigliano spring.
Programme QuintEssenza 2026
Sunday, May 17, 2026 — from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Exhibition Squares
- Piazza Santarosa — "Herb Square": over 50 exhibitors of medicinal herbs and natural essences
- Piazza Cesare Battisti — "Open-Air Garden"
- Piazza Molineri — "Green and Fragrance Island": nursery gardeners and gardening
- Via Alfieri, via Sant'Andrea, via Torino, corso Roma — hobbyists and creatives
- Piazza Cavour — local gastronomic excellence (Coldiretti, Confagricoltura)
Talk Area
- 10:00 AM — "Image as Language" with Maverik Cesano
- 11:00 AM — "Indian Spices and Culinary Use"
- 3:00 PM — "Around the World in 80 Scents" with Claudia Sepertino
- 4:00 PM — Book presentation "Simple Recipes and Ancient Remedies" with Anna Bianchi
- 5:30 PM — "Profumo di Spezie tells its story"
Workshops — Santa Monica Cloister (via Garibaldi)
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM — "Magic Potion Roll-on" (children)
- 3:00 PM-6:00 PM — "Magic Monster-Repellent Pouch" (children)
- 10:00 AM-12:30 PM and 3:00 PM-5:30 PM — Botanical workshop on olfactory hybridization
- "Create your own magic soap with herbs and flowers"
- 2:30 PM-4:30 PM — "Henna Corner" (free while supplies last)
Múses - European Academy of Essences (Palazzo Taffini Acceglio, via Sant'Andrea 53)
- 10:30 AM — "Discover your essence": create a 30 ml perfume (paid)
- 3:30 PM — "The Olfactory Archive: composing with essences"
- 4:00 PM — "Small Essential Creations" (children 4-12 years)
- Guided tours: 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM
- Garden of the senses: free visit 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Shows and family activities
- Piazza Turletti — "Giacomina's Garden - A Tribute to Italo Calvino", theatrical performance directed by Daniela Febino (11:00 AM, 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM, free)
- Via Garibaldi — Ludobus with wooden games, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (free)
- Herbal botanical garden, university library courtyard in Piazza Turletti, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (free, with Altea guides)
Guided tours
- "Discover Savigliano" — 3:00 PM from Piazza Santarosa (2 €, booking required)
Related event
- Monday, May 18 — Round table "From Training to Profession" at the University (via Garibaldi 6), Herbal Techniques course
Highlights QuintEssenza 2026
Prices QuintEssenza 2026
Practical information — QuintEssenza
Getting there
Savigliano is easily accessible by car via the A6 Turin-Savona motorway (Marene exit) and the state road to Cuneo. The Savigliano train station is on the Turin-Cuneo-Ventimiglia line, just a few minutes' walk from the historic center where the event takes place.
Hours and admission
QuintEssenza runs from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission to the exhibition area and the city streets is free. Some workshops, visits to Múses, and the "Discover Savigliano" guided tour require payment or prior booking.
Contact
Fondazione Ente Manifestazioni Savigliano, Piazza del Popolo 29/C, 12038 Savigliano (CN). Phone +39 0172 712536, email [email protected].
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Where does it take place — QuintEssenza
Centro storico di Savigliano
Piazza Santarosa, 12038 Savigliano