Ripafratta Spring Festival

The Spring Festival in the village of Ripafratta

Every spring, the village of Ripafratta, a hamlet in the municipality of San Giuliano Terme in the province of Pisa, awakens with the Spring Festival, a day entirely dedicated to discovering the Monte Pisano area through nature, history, and local flavors. The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Ripafratta "Salviamo La Rocca", with the patronage of the Municipality of San Giuliano Terme, and takes place in the garden of Villa Danielli Stefanini (the former nursery school) along the Via Statale Abetone.

A border village between Pisa and Lucca

Ripafratta is an ancient frontier village that for centuries marked the border between the republics of Pisa and Lucca. Dominating the town is the evocative Rocca di Ripafratta, a medieval fortress that tells a thousand-year-old story of sieges and garrisons. The festival was born from the desire to enhance this heritage and restore a long-awaited event to the community, following the numerous editions organized in the early 2000s by the Committee for Ripafratta.

A traditional lunch

The convivial heart of the day is the grand lunch open to everyone, served à la carte in the garden of Villa Danielli Stefanini. On the table, you will find the flavors of spring and the traditions of this border territory:

• seasonal asparagus, the star of the period's dishes;
• grilled meats and charcoal-grilled specialties from Tuscan cuisine;
• traditional desserts such as the torta co' bischeri from Pisa and the torta co' becchi from Lucca, symbols of the meeting between the two traditions;
• water, wine, coffee, and digestifs included.

Access to the lunch is open, with no reservations or table bookings possible.

Guided tours and excursions

Alongside the dining, the festival offers a rich program of guided tours and walks to discover the village and Monte Pisano. There are guided tours of the Rocca and the village streets, hikes along the ancient trails towards the Hermitage of Rupecava and the La Romagna area, climbs to the Torre Centino, and walks dedicated to wild forest herbs. A guided walk even starts from Lucca to reach Ripafratta following the course of the Serchio river, just in time for lunch.

A day of nature and community

The Ripafratta Spring Festival is much more than a gastronomic feast: it is an opportunity to experience the landscape of Monte Pisano, learn about the history of the Rocca, and support the Pro Loco's commitment to protecting the monument. An unmissable appointment of the Tuscan spring, capable of uniting hikers, families, and lovers of tradition in the heart of the San Giuliano area.