Truffle Festival in San Benedetto Val di Sambro

A stop on the Tartufesta in the Bolognese Apennines

Tartufesta is the large, widespread festival that, between October and November, enlivens the villages of the Bolognese hills and mountains with the flavors of autumn. San Benedetto Val di Sambro, a municipality in the Apennines in the Province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), is one of the ten locations featured in the event, alongside towns like Savigno, Camugnano, Grizzana Morandi, Loiano, Monghidoro, Monzuno, Pianoro, and Sasso Marconi. For a few weekends, the town becomes a reference point for those who want to discover the prized white truffle of the Bolognese Hills, a product that has made this Apennine territory famous.

What to expect

The festival day, which generally runs from morning to evening in the town center, revolves around truffles and local mountain products. Among the most anticipated offerings are:

• Markets of local products and artisans;
• Food stands with menus and dishes based on white truffle and other autumn specialties;
• Tastings curated by producers and truffle hunters;
• The truffle dog competition, a spectacular event that reveals the ancient profession of the truffle hunter;
• Guided excursions in the Apennine woods, to discover the environments where truffles grow.

Guaranteed quality

Tartufesta is promoted by the Metropolitan City of Bologna through a Quality Charter and a Code of Conduct that define the characteristics of each event, synergizing Municipalities, Pro Loco (local tourist boards), and local associations for the valorization of white truffles. In San Benedetto Val di Sambro, the organization is handled by the local Pro Loco along with local entities.

A territory to discover

Beyond the festival, the Municipality of San Benedetto Val di Sambro is an ideal destination for an autumn trip: the territory includes twelve hamlets, including the charming Castel dell'Alpi, with its natural lake formed by a landslide in 1951. Woods, trails, and villages make this part of the Bolognese Apennines perfect to combine with a visit to Tartufesta.