With autumn comes the chestnut harvest, and with the harvest, chestnut festivals. Many small towns and villages in and around Bagni di Lucca hold a chestnut festival. I love them, it is a chance to see the villages come alive and show off just a little.
I visited the festival at Colognora with Heather Jarman from Sapori-e-Saperi recently and joined hundreds of people wandering around this gorgeous little village.
There were displays of old equipment used to grind grain.
This is thousands of years old.
This one from the 8th century.
And this elaborate one…..I can’t remember.
There was a man making nails….slowly.
There were hand made things to buy. I had to have one of those brooms…..and the flour sifter.
Colognora has a wonderful chestnut museum, full of things from life in a different time.
This is an old water driven grinding device.
These men and boys look great dressed up for the photo.
There were many basket makers…..all different styles.
Meet Dina who makes baskets and her husband who makes wooden shoes.
Here are some young weavers….it is great to see that the skills are being handed down.
And just look at this gorgeous man.
The village is very pretty.
There were some men sawing wood.
There was music.
And of course there were chestnuts roasting.
These delicious little things are frittelle made from chestnut flour.
Keep an eye out for local festivals when you visit Italy…..you won’t be disappointed.
Click here to see the gorgeous festival last year in Lupinaia, high in the Garfagnana.