Sagra del loertis

In Castel Mella, at the gates of Brescia, spring announces itself with a festival dedicated to an extraordinary and often undervalued ingredient: loertis, the wild hop that grows spontaneously in the fields and ditches of the Lombard plain. The Sagra del loertis represents a rare opportunity to rediscover and enhance this product of peasant tradition, deeply rooted in local gastronomic memory and in the seasonal harvesting practices that characterize the Brescia territory.

During the five days of the event (April 22-26, 2026), loertis is presented in multiple and creative preparations: from traditional omelets to refined risottos, from soups to preserves, to the simplest recipes that enhance its delicate and slightly bitter taste. The gastronomic stands throughout the village transform into a flavor journey that tells the story of seasonality and the authentic relationship between man and nature, offering visitors the opportunity to discover genuine and forgotten flavors.

The festival features the participation of local chefs and enthusiasts of traditional cuisine who offer personal interpretations of this ingredient, creating a fascinating dialogue between past and present. Each stand tells a different story of loertis, transforming the tasting into an educational and emotional experience.

Beyond culinary offerings, the event hosts a rich entertainment program: live music with local artists, educational workshops on the harvesting and preparation of loertis, photographic exhibitions on peasant traditions, and moments of conviviality that transform Castel Mella into a gathering place where traditions and common values are shared. Sunday, April 26, features a closing celebration with folk dancing and limited-quantity culinary specialties.

A festival that celebrates not only an ingredient, but the entire peasant culture of the Po Valley Lombardy, inviting visitors to rediscover the unbreakable bond between the territory and its table.