Strawberry Festival

A three-century-old tradition

The Strawberry Festival is the signature event of San Mauro Torinese, a town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, overlooking the Po river just a few kilometres from the regional capital. While the festival has been held in its current form since 1933, the town's strawberry-growing vocation is even older: it dates back to 1706, when, following the devastation of the Siege of Turin, a Benedictine abbot obtained permission from Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy to transplant strawberry plants from the ducal estates of Racconigi and Stupinigi. Since then, the cultivation of the small red fruit—once harvested by expert "frolere" (strawberry pickers)—has become part of the local soul, so much so that San Mauro is known as "the town of strawberries".

The festival program

For about a week, the town's central squares—particularly Piazza Gramsci with its festival pavilion—are filled with stalls, music, and the scent of strawberries. The heart of the event takes place over the weekend, featuring a large market of agricultural producers and artisans organized in collaboration with Coldiretti, and the public strawberry feast at the Ponte Vecchio, the most anticipated and delicious moment of the entire festival.

• The presentation of the "Fragolina d'Oro" (Golden Strawberry) award, given to those who have made significant contributions to the community;
• Dance evenings and concerts in the square, ranging from traditional ballroom dancing to live music;
• Canoe and boat trips on the Po river, exploring the Piedmontese river park;
• Guided tours of the Abbey of Pulcherada, a Romanesque jewel maintained by volunteers;
• A large funfair in Piazza Gramsci and Piazza Mochino;
• The fireworks display that concludes the festivities.

Between the Po river and the Abbey of Pulcherada

The festival is also an opportunity to discover the heritage of San Mauro Torinese. The Abbey of Pulcherada, an ancient Benedictine complex of medieval origin, opens its doors for free guided tours, while the Po river and its park provide the natural setting for canoe excursions and walks. The town's location, nestled between the river and the first hills of Turin, has provided the ideal microclimate for strawberry cultivation for centuries.

Solidarity and community

In recent years, the Strawberry Festival has also embraced charitable initiatives, such as the charity walk linked to the 5x1000 tax scheme, as well as moments dedicated to sports and local schools. It is an event that combines taste, tradition, and commitment, capable of transforming the entire town for a few days into a large, open-air celebration with free admission.