Il Polentone di Retorbido

The beautiful spring festival dedicated to the wise farmer Bertoldo

In the municipality of Retorbido in Oltrepò Pavese, the second Sunday of March is an unmissable event for thousands of people. The town celebrates the Polenta and Salamini Festival, honoring its legendary protagonist, Bertoldo. According to local folklore, Bertoldo was born in Retorbido, not Bertagnana, as others claim. The festival features a lively market, music, and a parade with nobles, peasants, and revelers. As tradition goes, the event ends with the sharing of polenta and salamini. The celebration reached its 100th edition in 2018.

Photo by Trait d'Union e associazione Camperisti di Retorbido

106° Polentone di Retorbido

Retorbido PV

08/03/2026

Food & Wine

Weddings in Oltrepò Pavese, a land of picturesque villages and unique culinary products

Discover Oltrepò Pavese: an ideal destination to celebrate your wedding, filled with charming villages and traditional food and wine

Food & Wine

Zucca Berrettina di Lungavilla

In Lungavilla, a pumpkin known as “Capé da prèvi” (priest’s hat) is cultivated, named for its shape, which resembles the headgear worn by priests.

Food & Wine

La schita dell’Oltrepò Pavese

A treasure of rural tradition

Food & Wine

Good Wine

Oltrepò Pavese, a Land of Wine and Riches

Food & Wine

Salame d’Oca Ecumenico

The Salame d’Oca di Mortara IGP is an outstanding product of Lomellina’s gastronomic tradition.

Food & Wine

Flavours of the Oltrepò Pavese: Autumnal weekends away within a stone’s throw of Milan

Discover Pavese – Enjoy an autumn weekend of tradition, culture and flavour among the most charming villages of the Oltrepò Pavese. Take a look at this list of ideas and get inspired.

Food & Wine

A toast to the vineyards and wineries of Lombardy

Lombard vineyards and wineries are eager to welcome tourists and visitors to enjoy the last phases of the harvest.

Food & Wine

Miccone

The *miccone* is a traditional bread from Oltrepò Pavese with a crispy crust and a dense yet soft crumb.

Food & Wine

Risotto e rane

Risotto with frogs, a symbolic dish of the Lomellina tradition

Food & Wine

Cotechino pavese

A traditional peasant's delight

Food & Wine

Il Butalà

A dish from the Pavia Apennines featuring Deco Brallo potato gnocchi and Menconico black truffle.

Food & Wine

Salame di Varzi D.O.P.

The origins of Varzi Salame are to be found in the dawn of time

Food & Wine

Hunting for truffles, the diamonds of the Lombardy table

From the most prized - the white truffle, to the black summer truffle or Scorzone, the marzuolo, the black Trifola and the black uncinato: also in Lombardy you can find delicious truffles, which are appreciated in restaurants all over the world

Food & Wine

Cipolla Rossa di Breme

The Breme Red Onion has been documented since the 10th century, dating back to the foundation of the famous abbey, which in the following centuries became one of the most important in Europe.