Marrone Chestnut Festival in Rivalto

For over half a century, the Festa del Marrone has been held in Rivalto on the third weekend of October. The ‘marrone’ is a chestnut not produced in large quantities and is therefore highly prized. It has more pronounced organoleptic characteristics and is completely natural.

During the festival, visitors can sample roasted chestnuts and ‘ballotte’ (boiled chestnuts), as well as wild boar, barbecued meat and even truffles. This year, which has once again been particularly dry, is delaying the start of the harvest in Rivalto and Chianni. The yield is not expected to be abundant, but the quality should be high.

As far back as the Middle Ages, the chestnuts from this area were renowned for their size and quality. In the land registry manuscripts of 1428, ‘the chestnuts of Chianni and Rivalto’ are described as ‘a product of high quality and economic value’. As in other mountainous areas of Tuscany where growing wheat was difficult, here too the chestnut provided a substitute, supplying flour and sustenance to local families.