Etna mushroom festival in Pedara

The Etna mushroom festival in Pedara attracts many tourists who come from all over the island to admire the view, some to visit its refined historic center and those who appreciate its long culinary tradition. Particularly during the month of October, a traditional autumn festival known as the Etna Mushroom Festival in Pedara. It is a festive, fun, but at the same time conscious opportunity to appreciate one of Etna's most representative products.

The origins of the Etna Mushroom Festival in Pedara

Unlike the many celebrations organized in small Sicilian villages, the Mushroom Festival in Pedara was not born as a religious festival, nor is it linked to any saint. The origins of this event are rather to be found in the desire to raise awareness and safeguard one of the typical products of the Etna area, the mushroom, also known as Etna gold .

Etna mushrooms from Pedara can only be found on the slopes of the most active volcano in Europe and are characterized by their intense and particular aroma, which from the first taste allow you to taste and appreciate the flavors of the forest . Since they live in symbiosis with other tree species, they absorb all the nuances of taste and smell from the latter.

It is not uncommon to taste an Etna mushroom from Pedara and smell the sweetness of the pine resin, the smell of chestnut and beech trees, as well as all the sparkling aroma of the undergrowth.
The best month for Etna gold harvesting is October , and it is precisely for this reason that the Municipality of Pedara together with some local associations has decided to organize the entertainment and the mushroom festival in Pedara in this autumn month.

How the Pedara Mushroom Festival takes place

Pedara, which is located halfway between the sea and the volcano, organizes the Etna Mushroom Festival every year, one of the best times to visit Pedara and taste the famous Etna mushroom.
Usually the event is held every weekend in October and during the event it is possible to see and taste some of the most representative mushrooms of Etna. We need to name the so-called Boletus edulis , i.e. the common porcini mushrooms and the renowned Boletus aereus, better known as the black porcini mushroom.

During the festival the historic center and the main square become colorful and the streets are filled with stands offering visitors typical products and traditional local mushroom dishes. A complete one is also organised mycological exhibition and for this occasion the local tourist office organizes excursions to the slopes of Etna to go mushroom hunting.
The program also includes a lot Entertainment and fun activities for adults and children with shows, live music and the setting up of a complete children's play area.

While the little ones have fun with the entertainers, parents and grandparents will be able to walk among the kiosks and buy the local products, as well as particular local craft objects. The Etna Mushroom Festival in Pedara was also created to transmit knowledge and awareness to future generations and for this reason throughout the autumn period speakers are invited to discuss the mycological theme and conferences are also organized for the protection of this particular Etna product.

What to do nearby during the Etna Mushroom Festival in Pedara

Those who reach Pedara to participate in the Etna Mushroom Festival cannot miss some of the most interesting naturalistic and historical insights of the Etna territories.
Pedara is very close to Etna and therefore volcanology enthusiasts will be able to organize a short excursion to the slopes of the mountain. For nature lovers it is also noteworthy the Monte Troina natural park which offers the possibility of taking nature and recreational routes, as well as doing a bit of trekking up to the top of the volcanic cone to admire the surrounding panorama.

If you are unable to find a specialized guide to explore Etna up close, there is still the possibility of visiting the Volcanological museum of Pedara. The gallery is divided into two sections, on one side there is a complete photographic exhibition which tells the story of the latest eruptions of the Sicilian volcano through visual aids, while the other part is an educational area where crystals and volcanic stones of various kinds are preserved .

Those who prefer to retrace the history of the places they visit will certainly appreciate it Church of San Nicola di Bari dating back to 1400, or the Basilica of Santa Caterina Alexandrina which preserves within it paintings and frescoes of great artistic importance.

How to get to Pedara

Pedara is located about 15 km from Catania and has excellent road connections with the whole island.

Who comes in auto from Catania you can choose two routes which, depending on the road conditions, will be more or less convenient: the A18 or the Provincial Road 42. Both roads allow you to reach Pedara from Catania in less than 30 minutes.

Those arriving by car from Messina will be able to travel along the convenient A18 motorway and reach their destination in just over an hour.

The closest airport is Catania Fontanarossa and once you land you can continue your journey by taxi or by renting a car.