The Sweet Chestnuts Festival returns to the Imola area — about 40 kilometers from Bologna and from the Locanda dell’Orsa — from 5 to 26 October 2025, bringing with it an edition of special significance: this year marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most deeply rooted celebrations in the identity of the region. A milestone that once again highlights the strong connection between community, nature and tradition.
The undisputed protagonist is the Castel del Rio PGI Sweet Chestnut, a product whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, when chestnut groves were known as “bread trees” for their essential role in feeding local populations. Over the centuries, chestnut cultivation sustained the valley’s economy, leading in 1985 to the creation of the Chestunuts’ Consortium, guardian and promoter of this product, now certified PGI.
Every Sunday throughout October, the festival will offer food stands open for lunch, serving traditional dishes and specialties made with marrons. A delicious opportunity just a short distance from Bologna to discover an area rich in unique characteristics appreciated throughout the region and beyond.
