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

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

Agritourism in Pavia: where you feel ‘naturally’ at home

Dove è naturale sentirsi a casa

Food & Wine

Peperone di Voghera

The Voghera pepper is a native and valuable variety that deserves special attention for its unique organoleptic characteristics.

Food & Wine

Good Wine

Oltrepò Pavese, a Land of Wine and Riches

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

Le Palle di Agilulfo

A traditional dessert from Lomello

Food & Wine

Torta Paradiso

The iconic dessert of Pavia's tradition

Food & Wine

Fagiolo Borlotto di Gambolò

The Borlotto bean has been cultivated for centuries in the agricultural area of Gambolò and its immediate surroundings.

Food & Wine

Parona offelle biscuits

Food & Wine

Brasadè di Staghiglione

Il Brasadè, ciambelline d’origine ottocentesca

Food & Wine

Pizzocorno

Il formaggio Pizzocorno, dalla forma quadrata e dall’aroma intenso e deciso, prende il nome dal piccolo borgo – frazione di Ponte Nizza – nel cuore della Valle Staffora

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

Salame d’Oca Ecumenico

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

Food & Wine

Wine tastings and cellars in broni

At the foot of the Pavia hills, Broni, where wine is poetry

Food & Wine

Il Butalà

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

Food & Wine

Bata Lavar

A traditional pasta dish from the town of Canneto Pavese

Food & Wine

Malfatti: a culinary delight from the Oltrepò Pavese

Traditional dish of the rural heritage of the Oltrepò Pavese

Food & Wine

Oltrepò Pavese, le Vie del Gusto

The tranquil Oltrepò is the home of 36 DOC-certified wines, which accompany a traditional cuisine with its roots in Italy’s remote history

Food & Wine

Asparago rosato di Cilavegna

Asparagus has been cultivated for over five hundred years in the vast agricultural area surrounding Cilavegna

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