TartuFestival — Nebrodi Truffle Festival

The TartuFestival in Santa Domenica Vittoria

In the heart of the Nebrodi Mountains, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, the village of Santa Domenica Vittoria (Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily) hosts the TartuFestival, the Nebrodi Truffle Festival, every year. Established in 2023, the event has quickly become one of the most intriguing and unique culinary appointments in the Sicilian mountains, dedicated to a product that is still little-known but highly prized: the Nebrodi truffle.

The truffle, a hidden treasure of the Nebrodi

Few people know that the forests on the eastern slopes of the Nebrodi Park are home to numerous species of truffle, including Tuber aestivum, Tuber aestivum var. uncinatum, Tuber brumale, Tuber mesentericum, and Tuber borchii. The festival was born around this hidden treasure with the goal of enhancing and promoting the culinary and cultural richness of an area that is often overlooked. It is no coincidence that the municipality is a member of the National Association of Truffle Cities.

Gastronomy and cooking shows

The program revolves around food stalls and tastings, where the truffle is featured in tagliatelle and gnocchi, sausages, arancini, and cured meats. A significant portion of the event is dedicated to cooking shows with local chefs, who present recipes where the Nebrodi truffle meets other typical island products, in line with promoting Sicily as a land of food and wine excellence.

Culture, excursions, and Christmas atmosphere

Alongside the food, the festival offers conferences and presentations dedicated to truffle culture, regulations for searching and harvesting, and species identification, with contributions from university professors and experts. There is no shortage of excursions, including trekking, quad bike tours, and outdoor activities in the Nebrodi landscape, organized by the local Pro Loco. Being held in early December, the event also gives the village a Christmas atmosphere, with markets, music, traditional Sicilian songs and dances, street performers, and circus acts.

A village between the Nebrodi, Alcantara, and Etna

Situated at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, between the Nebrodi Mountains and the Alcantara Valley, with views of the majestic Mount Etna, Santa Domenica Vittoria offers a unique landscape setting during the TartuFestival. The event is organized by the Municipality together with the Pro Loco, with a public call for exhibitors, and is part of the calendar of initiatives promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.