Wool and Silk Road Festival

The festival of the path between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna

The Wool and Silk Road Festival is an annual event celebrating the namesake hiking route, an itinerary inaugurated in 2018 and conceived by Vito Paticchia that connects Bologna to Prato across the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The festival is unique in its dual-location nature: it takes place simultaneously in Montepiano, a village in the municipality of Vernio in the province of Prato (Tuscany), and Castiglione dei Pepoli, in the province of Bologna, on opposite sides of the Apennine ridge. It serves as a reminder that mountains, rather than dividing, have always united the territories and communities that inhabit them.

The Wool and Silk Road

The route retraces the ancient trade paths that, for centuries, linked the economy of Bologna, the city of silk, to that of Prato, the city of wool. Along the trails, visitors encounter forests, ancient mills, abbeys, and villages that tell a story of trade, labor, and devotion. The festival invites you to rediscover this heritage on foot: each edition offers sound walks, guided treks, and loop itineraries that touch the symbolic landmarks of the path, from the Badia di Santa Maria in Montepiano to the mountain passes.

Culture, music, and public art

Alongside outdoor activities, the event features a rich cultural program. The historic villas of Montepiano host storytelling sessions and meetings curated by the CDSE Foundation – Center for Historical and Ethnographic Documentation, while concerts and performances enliven the squares of both towns. Over the years, the festival has welcomed prominent guests from the Italian literary scene and promoted public art projects along the trail in collaboration with major local art centers.

The flavors of the Apennines

Gastronomy is at the heart of the festival. Local clubs and restaurants serve traditional Apennine cuisine: potato tortelli, tagliatelle, porchetta, and regional specialties, with options for vegetarians and vegans. The local producers' market allows visitors to take home cheese, honey, preserves, and farm-to-table products.

A weekend for the whole family

The Wool and Silk Road Festival is designed for all ages: children's workshops, recreational activities, family-friendly hikes, and musical entertainment make this event one of the highlights of the summer in the Apennines between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. For the municipality of Vernio and the entire Montepiano area, it represents an important opportunity to promote the territory and sustainable tourism.