White Gold of Umbria: The 45th Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato in Città di Castello
Every autumn, the Umbrian town of Città di Castello transforms into the beating heart of Italy’s truffle culture for the Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato, a festival celebrating the region’s most prized delicacy — the white truffle. Known scientifically as Tuber magnatum Pico, this rare and aromatic fungus grows beneath the roots of oak and poplar trees and can only be discovered with the help of specially trained dogs. Its intoxicating scent, delicate earthy flavor, and seasonal rarity make it a true luxury, with prices often exceeding €6,000 per kilogram. The white truffle of the Upper Tiber Valley embodies the region’s soul — a symbol of patience, dedication, and deep respect for the land.
From October 31 to November 2, the 45th edition of the Salone transformed the historic center into a kingdom of taste, passion, and tradition. Visitors were guided by the truffle’s unmistakable aroma through piazzas and gardens framed by Renaissance and contemporary masterpieces, while acclaimed Umbrian chefs engaged in live showcooking, culinary schools hosted students in workshops, and restaurants across the city served special truffle menus. Meanwhile, the villaggio dei sapori and pro-loco stands filled streets and squares with traditional Umbrian and Italian cuisine, alongside a wide selection of zero-kilometer products.
The festival is not only a celebration of a culinary treasure but also a driver of cultural and economic vitality. According to local authorities, including Letizia Guerri, Councillor for Commerce and Tourism, Lazzaro Bogliari, President of the National White Truffle Fair, and Antonella Brancadoro, director of the National Association “Città del Tartufo”, the event highlights the truffle’s deep connection to the land and its role in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the region. Over three days, the Salone brought together the entire truffle supply chain — from hunters and their dogs to producers, Slow Food presidia, local associations, and gastronomic traditions — offering visitors an immersive journey through the aroma, flavor, and culture of Umbria’s “white gold.”
In the Footsteps of Truffle Hunters
Among the highlights of any visit to Umbria, truffle hunting consistently ranks near the top — and the experience organized by Associazione Tartufai Altotevere in Città di Castello set a new benchmark. Led by Andrea Canuti, president of the association, and Paolo Fabbriciani, a mycologist whose knowledge of fungi seems endless, the morning excursion offered an authentic glimpse into the deep-rooted traditions that define Umbria’s truffle culture.
The adventure began with a slalom through muddy forest tracks in sturdy 4x4s, including Andrea’s father’s well-worn Fiat Panda, a local icon in its own right. Hunters and their dogs moved in rhythmic harmony through streams and woodland terrain, a quiet dialogue of instinct and experience. Their perseverance was soon rewarded when the dogs unearthed a couple of prized white truffles, their intoxicating aroma instantly transforming fatigue into euphoria. The morning concluded around a makeshift grill for a rustic brunch in the woods, a fitting reward for hours of mud, laughter, and discovery — a living story of patience, passion, and respect for nature, a testament to the enduring bond between hunter, dog, and land.
Città di Castello and its surrounding territory are a true truffle hotspot, where from October to December one in three white truffles in Italy is harvested. The area is home to over 1,750 licensed hunters — men and women of all ages accompanied by more than 3,000 dogs — preserving a vibrant tradition recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. As Andrea Canuti explained, the white truffle season opened under favorable conditions, with rain, sun, and lunar phases all influencing the size and quality of the harvest. Prices for these prized truffles currently range around €5,000 per kilogram for specimens over 15 grams, with smaller truffles sold at proportionally lower rates, reflecting both their rarity and high market demand. With optimal weather, this season promises some of the finest truffles yet, a living testament to Umbria’s enduring truffle heritage.
Sensorial Journeys: Experiencing Truffles with the Senses
Our exploration of white truffles went far beyond simple tasting — it was a masterclass in sensorial decoding, guided by Daniele Violoni (The Lord of Truffle and Truffle Sommelier) and Monica Panzeri, Vice President of Narratori del Gusto. We learned to read the truffle’s subtle language: a firm texture announcing vibrant freshness, a soft touch or faint cabbage scent hinting at decline, and even a tiny concave mark — a snail’s delicate kiss — testifying to its irresistible allure.
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| Daniele Violoni (The Lord of Truffle and Truffle Sommelier) and Monica Panzeri, Vice President of Narratori del Gusto |
Within the historic walls of Palazzo Bufalini, the Sala degli Specchi became a playground for the senses. Through a series of blind exercises, we trained our perception, learning to discern the nuanced qualities that define a truly exceptional white truffle — a lesson in observation and intuition.
The experience reached its crescendo with a guided tasting of crostini with butter and fresh white truffle. Here, the magic of truffles came alive: their fat-soluble aroma compounds unfolded fully in harmony with the butter, transforming subtle scents into a symphony of flavor. It was an exercise in mindful tasting, a rare invitation to pause, breathe, and savor the unique terroir, character, and artistry that make the “bianco pregiato” the most noble of all truffles.
Showcooking: European Excellence Meets Umbrian Tradition
This year’s edition, titled “Bianco Pregiato: In Umbria le Grandi Cucine d’Europa”, confirmed the festival’s international vision, bringing together three of Europe’s most celebrated culinary traditions — Spain, France, and Germany — each reinterpreted through the prism of Umbria’s white truffle. Three distinguished chefs led this gastronomic journey, uniting cultures and styles under the same exquisite aroma. Chef Daniele Auricchio presented a Spanish-inspired Paella with local mushrooms, topped with Tartufo Bianco Pregiato, blending Mediterranean warmth with Umbrian depth. Chef Nicola Cascini, from Locanda del Cardinale in Assisi, reimagined the classic Soupe d’Onion through a refined French lens, elevated by the earthy notes of the truffle. Chef Elia Lunghi, from Evo Bistrot on Lake Trasimeno, delighted guests with his Foresta Nera e Bianco Pregiato, a poetic reinterpretation of the German Black Forest Cake, where truffle lent surprising elegance and complexity.
The showcooking sessions were complemented by a Passeggiata Gourmet in Europa, during which students from the Patrizi Baldelli Cavallotti Scuola Alberghiero recreated the chefs’ dishes for visitors to enjoy across Città di Castello’s historic center. This immersive experience allowed participants to witness how the white truffle elevates traditional recipes, bridging cultures, techniques, and flavors, while transforming the city itself into a living showcase of culinary artistry and Umbria’s gastronomic heritage.
Celebrating Slow Food Alta Umbria
The festival was also a celebration of Slow Food Alta Umbria, highlighting the richness and diversity of the region beyond truffles. Visitors discovered numerous Slow Food presidia, showcasing local culinary treasures and artisanal excellence: Mazzafegato dell’Alta Valle del Tevere, Vinosanto da uve affumicate dell’Alta Valle del Tevere, Fagiolina del Trasimeno, Sedano Nero di Trevi, Lumachella di Orvieto, Fava Cottora dell’Amerino, Anice Verde di Castignano, Lonzino di Fico, Cicerchia di Serra de’ Conti, and Caciofiore di Columella.
In addition, the event highlighted the communities of Slow Food Olivi Originari dell’Alta Valle del Tevere and producers of Olio Rajo di Amelia, coordinated by the Condotta Slow Food Alta Umbria. Together, these initiatives offered a broader perspective on Umbria’s gastronomic heritage, from rare legumes and cured meats to traditional oils and unique local flavors, emphasizing the region’s commitment to sustainability, culture, and artisanal excellence.
Exploring the Legacy of Alberto Burri
No visit to Città di Castello would be complete without exploring the works of Alberto Burri, one of Italy’s most influential modern artists, born in the town in 1915. Burri’s groundbreaking approach to materials, from burlap and plastic to charred wood and metal, redefined postwar art in Italy and worldwide, blending texture, abstraction, and raw emotion in ways that challenged traditional artistic conventions. At the Città di Castello Museum, his works are displayed as a testament to innovation and expressive freedom, offering visitors not only a glimpse into the life of a local genius but also an understanding of his pivotal role in shaping Italian modern art. The museum experience serves as a cultural complement to the city’s gastronomic treasures, linking heritage, creativity, and identity in a uniquely Umbrian context.
Salone Nazionale Tartufo Bianco Pregiato
Website: https://biancopregiato.it/
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