Sagra Nazionale del Polentone alla Carbonara e Festival dei Brutti

A centuries-old gastronomic tradition

In the historic center of Piobbico, a small village in Montefeltro nestled at the foot of Monte Nerone, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino (Marche), one of the oldest and most beloved festivals in the region is renewed each year: the National Festival of Polentone alla Carbonara. This is no ordinary festival, but an event rooted in over five centuries of history and proudly bearing the De.C.O. (Municipal Designation of Origin) and Sagra di Qualità (Quality Festival) certifications issued by Unpli Nazionale.

Polentone alla carbonara

The name of the dish refers to the carbonari, the men who once worked in the woods of Monte Nerone producing charcoal and who ate polenta during their long working days. Despite the name, polentone alla carbonara has nothing to do with Roman carbonara: the polenta is cooked slowly in a copper pot over a wood fire, strictly using wood from Monte Nerone trees, then hand-pulled, sliced, and seasoned with lard, pepper, and pecorino cheese. To these traditional ingredients, sufrangolo is added, a secret aromatic herb that grows only in the woods of Monte Nerone and is not commercially available, the true distinctive touch of the Piobbico recipe.

The Festival dei Brutti

What truly makes this festival unique is its connection to the Festival dei Brutti (Festival of the Ugly), an event organized by the legendary Club dei Brutti (Club of the Ugly), founded in Piobbico in 1879. Originally established to help single girls find husbands, the club has become an international cultural phenomenon over the years, with thousands of members worldwide and branches abroad. Its dialect motto, "ugliness is a virtue, beauty is slavery," encapsulates the self-ironic spirit of the event, which invites people to downplay the cult of appearance and rediscover inner beauty. During the festival, the election of the World President of the Brutti takes place, with speeches, parades, and awards animating the village squares.

The atmosphere of the festival

Throughout the festival, the village of Piobbico comes alive with scents and colors: food stalls in Piazza Sant'Antonio and along Viale Marconi serve polentone and dishes from Marche cuisine, while open cellars in the historic center host aperitifs, tastings, and live music. Among the most anticipated events are the Nativity Scene Fair, the masterclass dedicated to the secrets of the ancient polentone recipe, folklore shows, and the Palio della Damigiana (Demijohn Race) through the village streets. The main day concludes with a fireworks display that lights up the Montefeltro sky.

Piobbico and Montefeltro

Dominated by the 16th-century Brancaleoni Castle, Piobbico is an ideal destination for those seeking the tranquility of the Marche Apennines, offering nature, hiking on Monte Nerone, and authentic traditions. The festival is the perfect opportunity to discover this little-known corner of the province of Pesaro and Urbino, far from the most beaten tourist paths.