Salamino Festival
Celebrating the De.Co. salami in the rolling hills of the Casale Monferrato
About Salamino Festival
A village festival in the heart of Monferrato
The Salamino Festival is the most anticipated event of the year in Moncestino, a tiny municipality in the Province of Alessandria perched on the hills of the Casale Monferrato, in Piedmont. For nearly thirty years, the festival has drawn visitors from across the Casale area and the neighboring provinces of Turin, Asti, and Vercelli, all attracted by a simple yet iconic product: the Moncestino salami, crafted from an ancient local recipe that has earned the De.Co. (Municipal Designation) status, certifying its deep bond with the territory.
Salami and traditional cuisine
The heart of the event is the food stand set up by the Pro Loco of Moncestino in Piazza Marconi, right in front of the town hall. Here, you can savor raw salami served with lardo, cotechino with mashed potatoes, herb frittata, pasta e fagioli, tongue with green sauce, and to finish on a sweet note, hazelnut cake—a true classic of Piedmontese pastry. Dishes are served à la carte in the convivial, authentic atmosphere typical of village festivals.
The Salamino Trek
For several editions now, the festival has kicked off with the Salamino Trek, a guided hike of about 8 kilometers with a 240-meter elevation gain, organized by the Cammini DiVini association. The loop trail winds through the Monferrato hills, crossing woods and scenic paths, passing by sites of partisan memory from World War II and the gardens of the historic Villa del Carretto, returning just in time for lunch at the festival.
Culture, castle, and entertainment
Throughout the day, the Castello Villa del Carretto is open for special visits, accompanied by a photography exhibition highlighting the historical and artistic features of the village. There is no shortage of activities for families: the local equestrian club offers children the chance to ride ponies with an instructor, while face painting and balloon sculpting keep the little ones entertained. The Salamino Festival is much more than just a food event: it is a chance to discover a hidden corner of Monferrato, defined by genuine flavors, nature, and heritage.
Salamino Festival — edition 2026
La 28ª edizione della Sagra del Salamino di Moncestino ha aperto la giornata con il Trekking del Salamino, giunto alla sua quarta edizione: ritrovo dalle 9:00 in Piazza Marconi e partenza alle 9:30 per un anello di circa 8 km tra le colline monferrine. Dal mezzogiorno gli stand della Pro Loco hanno proposto il salamino De.Co. e i piatti della tradizione. Durante la giornata sono stati visitabili il Castello Villa del Carretto e una mostra fotografica di Enrico Aliberti, mentre il circolo ippico e l'animazione hanno intrattenuto le famiglie.
Programme Salamino Festival 2026
Domenica 12 aprile 2026
- 9:00 — Ritrovo in Piazza Marconi 3 per il Trekking del Salamino (4ª edizione)
- 9:30 — Partenza dell'escursione guidata: anello di circa 8 km, 240 m di dislivello, tra boschi, sentieri panoramici e luoghi della memoria partigiana, con passaggio ai giardini di Villa del Carretto (costo 10 €, guida escursionistica e istruttore Nordic Walking inclusi; bastoncini gratuiti)
- Dalle 12:00 — Apertura degli stand gastronomici della Pro Loco con salamino De.Co., cotechino con purè, frittata, pasta e fagioli, lingua con bagnetto verde e torta di nocciole (piatti alla carta)
- Durante la giornata — Apertura straordinaria del Castello Villa del Carretto e mostra fotografica di Enrico Aliberti; passeggiate a cavallo per bambini con il circolo ippico, trucca-bimbi e sculture di palloncini
Highlights Salamino Festival 2026
Prices Salamino Festival 2026
Practical information — Salamino Festival
How to get there
Moncestino is located in the hills of the Casale Monferrato, in the Province of Alessandria. By car, it can be reached from Casale Monferrato or Crescentino via the scenic hill roads; the meeting point is Piazza Marconi 3, in front of the town hall. The nearest train station is in Casale Monferrato, from where you can continue by car.
Hours and bookings
The day begins in the morning with the meeting for the trek; food stalls open at noon. Booking is recommended for the Salamino Trek (Augusto Cavallo, tel. +39 339 418827). For information on the festival: Municipality of Moncestino, tel. +39 0142 945061.
Tips
For those joining the hike, trekking shoes, water, and comfortable clothing are recommended; Nordic Walking poles are provided free of charge. Admission to the festival is free, while food is paid for à la carte.
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Where does it take place — Salamino Festival
Piazza Marconi
Piazza Marconi 3, 15020 Moncestino