Turania Chestnut Festival

A festival celebrating the roots of the Turano Valley

The Turania Chestnut Festival is the most anticipated autumn event in this tiny village in the province of Rieti, Lazio. Reaching its 42nd edition in 2025, the festival is organized by the Pro Loco Turania APS with the support of the Municipality of Turania. It brings Piazza Umberto I to life between late October and early November, when the chestnut groves surrounding the village yield their harvest. As the mayor noted during the last edition, this is more than just a food and wine event; it is a true community moment that celebrates local roots, forest products, and the village's hospitality.

Turania, a Sabina village nestled among chestnut groves and panoramic views

Turania—the ancient Petescia Sabina, a fiefdom of the Borghese family for nearly three centuries—stands about 72 kilometers from Rome, overlooking the Turano Valley from which it takes its name, on the edge of the Monti Navegna and Cervia Regional Nature Reserve. The area is rich in chestnut trees; it is no coincidence that the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmelo, linked to a 17th-century legend, stands right in the middle of a chestnut forest. In recent years, the village has added attractions such as the Giant Bench no. 435, offering panoramic views of the valley, and a series of murals that color the alleys of the historic center: both are highlights of the morning walk that kicks off the festival.

What to eat: polenta, sausages, and roasted chestnuts

The heart of the festival is the Pro Loco's food stalls, which offer a menu rooted in Sabina tradition:

• Polenta with meat sauce, served with pork ribs and sausage, side dishes, and bread—the festival's signature dish;
• Arrosticini, sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, and crêpes for a street food experience;
• Roasted chestnuts made with local produce, the absolute stars of the day.

It is the simple, generous cuisine of the Turano Valley villages, served in the square in a convivial atmosphere that draws visitors from across the province of Rieti and nearby Rome.

Trekking, traditional games, and the Ballo della Mammoccia

The festival is about more than just food: the day begins in the morning with a trekking walk to the Giant Bench and the murals, continues in the afternoon with traditional games of the past, and concludes with the Ballo della Mammoccia, a traditional dance featuring a puppet that stands as one of the most iconic moments of local folklore. The 2025 edition also featured a surprise event called "Eyes to the Sky," following the Turania tradition of launching handmade paper hot air balloons for the September patronal feast.

The 2026 edition

The Chestnut Festival is traditionally held between the last Sunday of October and the first few days of November. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the Pro Loco Turania APS; announcements are usually made in October via the association's social media channels. Those visiting the Sabina region in autumn can still take the opportunity to discover the village, the sanctuary in the chestnut grove, and the trails of the Monti Navegna and Cervia Reserve.