Raviolo Festival

A Century-Old Tradition

The Raviolo Festival in Casalfiumanese, a small municipality in the Metropolitan City of Bologna nestled in the Santerno valley near Imola, is one of the most deeply rooted events in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. The absolute star is the sweet raviolo, a shortcrust pastry biscuit filled with grape must, which has nothing to do with the pasta ravioli commonly imagined: here it is a typical dessert, intrinsically linked to the town's identity.

The custom of offering sweet ravioli to visitors dates back to 1876, during the San Giuseppe livestock fair, while the festival itself was officially established in 1925 at the behest of the mayor, Count Federico Alessandretti. Since then, the event has been renewed every year around the time of the San Giuseppe feast, at the beginning of spring, attracting thousands of visitors to Casalfiumanese from all over Romagna and Emilia.

The Rain of Ravioli from the Tower

The most anticipated and spectacular moment is the toss of sweet ravioli from the civic tower in the square: a veritable rain of biscuits falling on the crowd, in a collective ritual that blends play, popular devotion, and gluttony. For the little ones, ravioli filled with hazelnut cream are prepared, while the quintals of must-filled biscuits are handcrafted by volunteers in the days leading up to the festival.

Between Taste, Sport, and Culture

Over the years, the festival has been enriched with new events that make it a well-rounded affair: the Raviolo Trail, a competitive running race with an accompanying fun run through the Santerno hills; the food stalls offering local specialties, local wine, mulled wine, and gluten-free options curated with the Italian Celiac Association; exhibitions at the Municipal Theatre dedicated to the history of the festival and local crafts; and DJ sets and concerts that liven up Piazza Cavalli until the evening.

Organization and Context

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Casalfiumanese together with the municipal administration, involving numerous local associations. Part of the tourist circuit of Imolese and Emilia-Romagna, the Raviolo Festival is today an event of identity that tells, through a dessert, the history and soul of an entire community in the Province of Bologna.