Festa d’autunno – Sagra delle castagne

When autumn arrives in San Donato di Ninea, this Calabrian village transforms into a stage where the chestnut takes center place. This fruit, which has nourished the communities of the area for centuries and sustained the local economy, returns to be celebrated with a festival that blends tradition, authentic flavors, and conviviality. In large copper pots, roasted chestnuts steam and are generously distributed among visitors, while typical sweets, artisanal liqueurs, and Calabrese cuisine dishes tell the culinary richness of the territory. The village streets come alive with artisan markets where you can discover local products, folk music echoing through the alleys, and performances that create a warm and genuine atmosphere. But the Autumn Festival is not just food and entertainment: exhibitions and educational workshops offer an immersion into the history of chestnut cultivation and the unbreakable bond that ties San Donato to the surrounding forests, a precious ecosystem from which autumn's treasure originates. It is an event that embodies the essence of Calabrian sagre: a moment when the community gathers to celebrate its roots, share the pleasure of the table, and pass on to visitors the traditions that define the village's identity. Three days in November to rediscover the authentic value of rural culture and Southern Italian gastronomy.