Festival of the Black Truffle of Ferla

The over 2.000 inhabitants of Ferla, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Syracuse in Sicily, celebrate every year and for several seasons now the Black of Ferla, with the Festival dedicated to the Truffle which is held in the month of July: inhabitants of the surroundings and tourists are invited to the great event organized by the Municipality to present aexcellent truffle quality, still little known outside Sicily.

Scorzone Nero Ibleo, this is the protagonist of the festival, is a black tuber with an intense aroma that has only been rediscovered in the area in recent years and therefore to make known the Black of Ferla, the Festival dedicated to the Truffle takes place at the same time as another important celebration in the town, that of Patronal Feast of San Sebastiano: in this way, there are many Ferla guests who can discover all the flavor of this tuber.

Ferla's traditions, however, go towards the future with particular attention to the environment and thus, by putting precious local products such as truffles at the service of the community, they also enhance another of the local natural resources, namely wood. The Festival, in fact, takes place in full respect of the environment, because the large table with 300 seats, where everyone is invited to sit down, is set with wooden crockery and a fabric tablecloth, totally eliminating plastic. Even the decorations that brighten the meal are floral and therefore 100% natural.

Everyone enjoys delicious truffle-based dishes together, while the atmosphere lights up and becomes more fun thanks to the acrobats and other street artists, who perform choreographies outdoors during the event.

The history of Nero di Ferla

To celebrate the Nero di Ferla, the Festival dedicated to the Truffle was established in 2011, when the Municipal Administration decided to create a public event to raise awareness of one of the most excellent local products, Scorzone Nero Ibleo, in the area.

Patron of the gastronomic event is the Mayor of Ferla himself, who accompanies the guests to the table and does his utmost in organizing this Festival, during which a fundraiser is also carried out among the diners, to be donated to charitable causes useful to the community local.

When the Nero di Ferla festival takes place

The Festival dedicated to the Black Truffle of Ferla takes place in the month of July, in conjunction with the summer celebrations in honor of San Sebastiano, which take place on July 20th.

From year to year, the two days of celebration are celebrated in the days immediately preceding or following the Feast of San Sebastiano.

Where the Ferla Black Truffle festival takes place

Nero di Ferla, with the Festival dedicated to the local truffle, is celebrated in the square, with a large table seating 300, where locals and tourists can eat side by side: in Piazza San Sebastiano, the square dedicated to the Patron Saint, takes place the dinner in honor of Nero di Ferla.

What to do during the Black Truffle Festival in Ferla

Things to do in Ferla, on the occasion of Festival dedicated to the Black Truffle are different: of course, you arrive at the table around dinner time, to enjoy delicious dishes in company prepared with 0 km ingredients and with the absolute star of the Festival, the Scorzone di Ferla Black Truffle. The menu includes cheeses with truffles, omelettes flavored with the precious tuber, meat with truffles and even truffle-flavored ice cream. Specialties to try accompanied with an excellent glass of local wine, to transform the evening into a great occasion for conviviality.
At the table you can make friends, get to know the local reality and maybe make an offer for the local sports team, or get advice on some interesting destinations to reach in the surrounding area.
However, those who want to organize a small tour in advance can stay in Ferla to discover all the beauties of the medieval country and the surroundings.

The first documented news about Ferla dates back to 1292 and is linked to the La Ferla family, from which the entire village took its name.
In the center you can admire some Baroque style churches, built or rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693: among these, the Church of San Sebastiano dedicated to the Patron Saint and the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, admired for the detailed richness of their decorations. In Ferla there are also other churches and a convent of the Capuchin Friars Minor.

From the village, with just 11 km of journey, you arrive at the site of Pantalica, a place dotted with archaeological treasures such as the rocky necropolis, the Byzantine village of San Micidario and the Prince's Palace.

The necropolis with its openings dug into the hill is Unesco World Heritage, while in the village of San Miocidario it is possible to visit a very ancient rock church; at the Prince's Palace, known in antiquity with the name of Anaktoron, you can instead see all that remains of this very ancient megalithic building.

How to get to the Black Truffle Festival in Ferla

Ferla is about 40 km from SIRACUSA and can be easily reached from the city by car, via State Road 124 in the direction of Palazzolo, turning towards Ferla at the Montegrosso crossroads; otherwise, take the A18 Messina-Catania motorway to the Melilli exit, about 20 km from the town.

Those traveling by train can get off at Ragusa Station, about 29 km from Ferla, and continue their journey by bus or shuttle.