Saturdays of Herbs

An alpine tradition reborn every spring

In Traversella, a small village tucked away in the Valchiusella valley in the Province of Turin, Piedmont, "El Sabat d'le Erbe" (Saturdays of Herbs) is one of the most cherished events of the season. Organized by the Club Amici Valchiusella, the festival revives one of the valley's oldest traditions: the use of wild mountain herbs in cooking and folk medicine. For a few Saturday afternoons between May and June, the village and its meadows transform into an open-air laboratory.

How the day unfolds

The meeting point is at the Ponte Folle area, in the Casette district, home to the characteristic "Casette delle Erbe". Each Saturday follows the same slow and convivial rhythm, divided into three moments:

• Guided walk: accompanied by the Magistre delle erbe, you will traverse ancient paths through rolling meadows, mule tracks, and birch forests, learning to identify and forage seasonal wild herbs.
• Farmhouse snack: halfway through the route, we stop to taste typical local products at a mountain farmhouse.
• Evening Convivium: upon returning to the Casette delle Erbe, the gathered herbs are prepared and enjoyed in dishes such as ricotta fiorita with garlic mustard, bulmit (goat's beard) with hard-boiled eggs, accompanied by local cheeses and jams from the valley.

Nature, knowledge, and community

The Saturdays of Herbs are more than just a gastronomic excursion: they are a way to pass down a wealth of knowledge linked to alpine agrobiodiversity and the farming culture of Valchiusella. The Magistre, guardians of ancient wisdom, share the culinary and medicinal uses of wild plants—a theme that also anchors special editions dedicated to agricultural and food biodiversity and the Valchiusella Food Community project.

Why it is worth it

For those seeking an authentic experience far from mass tourism, this festival offers a direct connection with the land: the slowness of the walk, the true flavors of the mountains, and the hospitality of a community that still lives in close contact with nature. It is an ideal event for families, hikers, and nature and food enthusiasts who want to discover the most genuine side of the Canavese area and the alpine Piedmont.