“Sagra del popone” – The Melon Festival | Pomaia

The Sagra del Popone – the Tuscan term for melon – has been held for 46 years at the start of August (8–9 August) in the hamlet of Pomaia. It offers the chance to sample traditional Tuscan dishes, such as tagliatelle with wild boar, vegetable soup or stockfish. Food, dancing and entertainment for two days of fun and good food.

The ‘Popone’ is simply the name given to the melon in Tuscany. Recognisable by its rounded, rough leaves, the fruit can grow to quite a large size in some varieties.

Pomaia is a destination for practitioners and enthusiasts of Eastern philosophies who attend courses at the Lama Tzong Khapa Buddhist Institute, one of the most highly regarded in the West. Guests have included the actor Richard Gere and the footballer Roberto Baggio.