Saint Martin and Bringoli Festival

Saint Martin and bringoli, the heart of autumn in Anghiari

In the heart of the Tuscan Valtiberina, in the province of Arezzo, the medieval village of Anghiari celebrates the Saint Martin and Bringoli Festival every year in mid-November. It is one of the most cherished festivals in the region: the feast of Saint Martin coincides with the so-called "Saint Martin's Summer," that period of mild weather preceding winter, and has always been linked to the countryside, the end of the grape harvest, and the new wine ready to be tasted.

Bringoli, simple hand-made pasta

The true stars of the festival are the bringoli, classic thick spaghetti made only with water and flour—no eggs—hand-rolled by the village housewives according to a recipe passed down through generations. They are the symbol of Valtiberina peasant cuisine: a simple, hearty pasta served with porcini mushroom sauce or traditional meat ragù. The entire event revolves around this dish.

Local specialties

In addition to bringoli, the food stalls set up by the Pro Loco offer typical Tuscan autumn specialties:

• Brustichino: toasted bread seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and salt, the ancestor of bruschetta;
• Grilled sausages;
• Roasted chestnuts, the iconic fruit of the season;
• New wine from the region, following the old saying "at Saint Martin's, every must becomes wine."

Between the Logge and the Galleria Magi

The festival takes place in the historic center of Anghiari, mainly under the Galleria Girolamo Magi and among the picturesque Logge della Fonte, sheltered from the crisp November air. The Logge also host the Mycological Exhibition dedicated to local mushrooms, while on Sunday, the village streets come alive with the performance of the local Philharmonic band.

Anghiari, a village to discover

Visiting the festival is also an opportunity to discover one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, awarded the Orange Flag by the Touring Club. Anghiari preserves its medieval structure intact, made of steep, scenic alleys enclosed by powerful 13th-century walls. The village is famous for the Battle of Anghiari of 1440, immortalized by Leonardo da Vinci in a painting that has since been lost. Walking through its streets after a plate of steaming bringoli is the best way to experience the autumn of the most authentic Tuscany.