Sagra del Bitto

In the heart of Valtellina, at 1,600 meters above sea level, Gerola Alta transforms into a world capital of Bitto, one of Italy's most ancient and fascinating cheeses. The Sagra del Bitto is a total immersion into alpine cheese-making culture, where tradition and authenticity meet amid the magnificent Lombard mountains. For two days, this small Valtellina village celebrates this extraordinary product through tastings, visits to alpine dairies, and demonstrations of production using age-old techniques. Bitto is much more than a cheese: it is the result of centuries-old wisdom, made from raw cow's milk and, in some variants, goat's milk, processed at high-altitude pastures using methods passed down through generations. During the festival you'll experience Bitto in all its forms, from fresh to aged varieties, and discover how it features in iconic local recipes such as the celebrated pizzoccheri and polenta taragna. The event offers a complete multisensory experience: from accordions echoing through the village streets, to the intense aromas of freshly-crafted cheeses, to the breathtaking panoramas of Valtellina. Artisan market stalls, photography exhibitions on alpine dairy life, and guided tours of historic mountain dairies complete a program that celebrates not only food, but the entire lifestyle of these mountain communities.