66th Crotti Festival: Voluntary Associations and Local Heritage Promotion

Pass sales are in full swing as organisers aim for a record

With just two weeks to go before the start, pass sales for the 66th Crotti Festival are progressing at a rapid pace, driven by the success of previous editions in terms of both attendance and visitor satisfaction. Having already surpassed the 3,000 mark, organisers are now aiming to reach 4,000 passes in the coming days.

The 10 routes and new features for 2026

The website www.sagradeicrotti.it provides details of the routes and food offerings included in the 10 “Andèm a Cròt” experiences, including Crotteggiando, an exclusive eight-stop itinerary between Piuro and Chiavenna, and this year's new addition, Spluga, which is already attracting considerable interest.

The event is organised by a committee established within Pro Chiavenna, in collaboration with the Municipality of Chiavenna, the Valchiavenna Mountain Community and the Valchiavenna Tourism Consortium. The support of numerous private sponsors, who have chosen to associate their brands with the Crotti Festival, is also essential to its success.

The heart of the festival: voluntary associations promoting our valley

The Valchiavenna's most iconic event, deeply rooted in local traditions and closely connected to the surrounding area, is brought to life by hundreds of volunteers from local associations, people of all ages with a wide range of skills and experience. They work together to ensure the event runs smoothly, welcoming visitors, setting up tasting stops, preparing traditional dishes and serving guests.

Around 30 associations from Chiavenna and neighbouring areas take part, representing sports, culture, the environment and social causes. These organisations are an important pillar of the local community, supporting a wide range of activities throughout the year.

Each of the more than 30 stops along the 10 “Andèm a Cròt” routes is managed by an association. Most take place in historic private crotti opened specially for the occasion, alongside other distinctive locations.

“Every year, the volunteers amaze us with their dedication and the care they put into organising the tasting stops,” says Marco Della Bella, chairman of the Crotti Festival working group. “Without them, the Crotti Festival simply wouldn't exist. Their willingness to help also allows us, as organisers, to introduce new ideas, such as the Spluga route, which explores an area that had not previously been included in the itineraries.

“They do an extraordinary job, committing themselves over two weekends with the shared aim of showcasing and promoting our valley. The positive feedback from visitors highlights the kindness and friendliness of the people welcoming them, making the culinary experience even more enjoyable.”

Along the food trails, visitors will find welcoming smiles, delicious tastings, steaming traditional dishes and good wine at every stop. The menu includes local cured meats and cheeses, taròz (a traditional potato and green bean dish), polenta, white pizzoccheri, whitefish cooked on a hot stone, ribs and beef bites, as well as a vegetarian alternative.

Private crotti open for the occasion

Voluntary associations also manage several private crotti that open their doors specially for the festival, including Crotto dei Leoni, Crotto Zio Carlo, Crotto Belgioioso, Crotto al Prato and Crotto Crimea.

Here, visitors can enjoy traditional Valchiavenna specialities such as white pizzoccheri, bresaola, meat and vegetables cooked on a hot stone, Prosto biscuits and fioretto cake.

“Visit a crotto” and “Follow a route” are the festival's invitations to visitors. Both experiences are worth enjoying on the same day, at different times, to immerse yourself in an ancient tradition and discover a region with so much to offer.

For full details of the programme and pass purchases, visit www.sagradeicrotti.it or follow the festival's official social media channels.