Spoiano Baccelli Festival

A tradition that smells of spring

The Spoiano Baccelli Festival is one of the most cherished spring events in the Aretine Valdichiana. Held in the small village of Spoiano, in the municipality of Civitella in Val di Chiana, in the province of Arezzo, it was founded in 1975 by the Polisportiva Spoiano, the local association that still manages every aspect of the event today with the support of residents and the patronage of the Municipality.

Spread over two consecutive weekends in May, the festival transforms the Polisportiva Club into a large gathering place where generations of locals and visitors from the area meet every year to enjoy local produce and good company.

The baccello, the absolute star

The baccello is the youngest and smallest fava bean: tender, sweet, and perfect for eating raw. In Tuscany, it is a true seasonal institution, and in Spoiano, it is the undisputed king of the table. The signature dish is "baccelli e pecorino": fresh fava beans drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and served with chunks of pecorino or slices of finocchiona. Alongside this specialty, the food stalls offer traditional local peasant dishes, served in a simple and genuine atmosphere.

More than just gastronomy

The festival is not just about food. Every evening, in addition to the restaurant, the pizzeria and bar are open, while the funfair entertains both adults and children. The evening program alternates between live music and dance nights, and there is always the unmissable briscola tournament, a highly anticipated social moment for participants.

• Where: Spoiano, Civitella in Val di Chiana (AR)
• When: Two weekends in May
• Specialties: Baccelli (fava beans), pecorino, finocchiona, traditional Tuscan dishes
• Entertainment: Music, dance nights, briscola tournament, funfair
• Admission: Free

A community celebration

The Spoiano festival is an authentic event, far from large-scale tourist attractions and deeply rooted in the Valdichiana territory. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a genuine corner of the province of Arezzo, savor a seasonal product that tells the story of Tuscan gastronomic culture, and experience the welcoming spirit of a small community that has been greeting visitors with warmth for nearly fifty years.