Sagra del Tartufo Re (TartufoRe)

The kingdom of truffles in Torrebruna

In the heart of the Alto Vastese, in a corner of Abruzzo where oak and beech forests guard a subterranean treasure, the village of Torrebruna (Province of Chieti) celebrates its most precious product every summer with the Sagra del Tartufo Re, known to everyone simply as TartufoRe. It is one of the most deeply rooted food and wine festivals in the Chieti hinterland: born in the late nineties, it has surpassed its twenty-eighth edition and has become a true collective ritual for the entire village community and the many visitors who travel up here, to an altitude of over 900 meters.

The summer black truffle takes center stage

The true king of the festival is the summer black truffle (scorzone), harvested in the woods surrounding the village and served fresh in a long sequence of dishes. During the festival, the association's kitchens prepare truffle bruschetta, ravioli and tagliatelle, spelt risotto with porcini mushrooms, veal roast, pork medallions, grilled cheese, and delicate truffle ricotta, all paired with Abruzzo DOC wines. Those who do not care for truffles will still find a rich menu, including a children's menu, while the market offers goat cheeses, pecorino, caciocavallo, ventricina, and artisanal local liqueurs.

A community celebration

Behind the Sagra del Tartufo Re is the volunteer work of the Associazione Ecologica Corvara of Torrebruna, which mobilizes dozens of local people every year for food preparation and table service. The food stalls open every evening at 7:00 PM in Piazza Caduti sul Lavoro and along the streets of the historic center, animated by live music and a convivial atmosphere that is the hallmark of Abruzzo village festivals. Among the most characteristic offerings is the "Alla Ricerca del Re" experience, a guided truffle hunt with expert truffle hunters in the local woods, and the traditional lottery that closes the festivities.

Torrebruna and the Alto Vastese

Visiting the Sagra del Tartufo Re also means discovering one of the most authentic villages in the Alto Vastese, a borderland between Abruzzo and Molise. The municipal territory of Torrebruna, with its natural truffle grounds and mid-mountain landscapes, offers visitors an ideal setting to combine good food, folk tradition, and nature. Today, the festival is one of the highlights of the summer in the Province of Chieti and a model of how a small community can showcase an excellent local product.