The Prosciutto Festival, or Festa del Prosciutto, is a three-day event that takes place on the first weekend of September. The town fills with visitors from all over the world who come to sample the delicacy and celebrate its rich history.
The festival begins with the traditional “blessing of the pigs,” where local farmers parade their prized animals through the streets to be blessed by the town’s priest. This is followed by a procession of traders dressed in traditional costumes carrying the first legs of freshly cured prosciutto to the town’s main square, where they are presented to the mayor.
Once the formalities are over, the real festivities begin. The town’s restaurants and bars offer special menus featuring different cuts and preparations of prosciutto, accompanied by locally produced wines and cheeses. Visitors can also participate in organized tastings and workshops, where experts teach the finer points of selecting and pairing prosciutto.
One of the highlights of the festival is the famous “prosciutto-throwing competition,” where participants throw pieces of prosciutto at targets in a bid to win prizes. This game dates back to the early days of the festival and is said to have originated as a way for butchers to demonstrate their skill with a knife.
Another popular event is the “show cooking” demonstrations, where local chefs share their recipes and techniques for cooking with prosciutto. Visitors can also watch the artisanal production process and learn about the history and culture behind the tradition.
For those who want to take home a piece of San Daniele del Friuli’s famous prosciutto, the festival’s market offers a wide variety of products, from whole legs to pre-sliced portions and cured meats.
The Prosciutto Festival is not only a celebration of one of Italy’s most beloved foods, but also a showcase of the region’s rich heritage of food, wine, and culture. Visitors can explore the nearby vineyards and wineries, take guided tours of the historic town center, and attend musical and theatrical performances.
In recent years, the festival has attracted increasing numbers of visitors from around the world, drawn to the unique experience of immersing themselves in a centuries-old tradition. For San Daniele del Friuli, the Prosciutto Festival is not just a local event, but an opportunity to share their passion for their prized ham with the rest of the world.