Fiera Nazionale del Tartufo Nero di Fragno

The black truffle of Fragno is Tuber uncinatum Chatin, the autumn black truffle, named after the hamlet of Fragno east of Calestano. It is gathered with trained dogs from late September through the winter. It is not the white truffle of Alba. Locally it goes on tortelli, tagliatelle, risotto, eggs, polenta and, inevitably, Parmigiano Reggiano.

Since 2007 a production rulebook (disciplinare) has governed how it is gathered, sold and processed, and the Consorzio del Tartufo Uncinato manages the quality mark on behalf of the Comune di Calestano. That matters to you at the market, below.

This is the reason to come. Every fair Sunday at about 9:30 a.m., representatives of the two local truffle-gatherers' associations and the Consorzio meet and fix the price for each of the three graded categories allowed under the mark. That is the Borsino del Tartufo, and the price holds for the week. The rules at the stalls are strict by market standards:

• Each seller must display a label stating what is being sold.
• Truffles of different quality cannot be mixed in one container.
• Truffles from outside the area can be sold, but only with that label.
• Sellers are gatherers registered with an agricultural VAT number.

We cannot tell you the 2026 price per kilo: the Borsino sets it on the day and the figures are not published in advance. Ask to see the board, compare it with what a stall quotes, and check the grade on the label before you pay.

The 2026 programme is not out, so here is the shape of a Sunday from the official 2024 guide. Treat the prices as last edition's, not this one's.

• 9 a.m. Food and craft market opens on Piazza Europa and Via Mazzini.
• 9:15 or 9:30 a.m. A guided walk in truffle country with an environmental guide, booking required, €7 per person in 2024.
• 9:30 a.m. Truffle market and Borsino open under the arcades.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided visits to the Museo del Tartufo di Fragno in the old prison cells: €5, €4 reduced, €10 family in 2024.
• From 12:30 p.m. Truffle lunches in Calestano and the hamlets of Marzolara, Vallerano, Fragno, Ravarano and Lesignano Palmia.
• Afternoon. Chestnuts roasted in the old Bastia quarter, music, talks.

The 2024 edition also had ticketed truffle dinners at €60–€65 a head and small tasting sessions at €10–€15, all bookable through the Pro Loco. Expect something similar, and book early: several were capped at 20 or 30 people.

Since 2024 the Museo del Tartufo Uncinato di Fragno, in the basement of the town hall, has been part of the Food Museums of Parma network (the same group as the Parmigiano, prosciutto and salame museums; see Musei del Cibo). It is small and it explains the grading and the dogs better than any stall can. The 2024 guide lists it open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; we could not confirm 2026 hours or prices.

Drive. Calestano is about 33 km (21 miles) and 40 minutes from central Parma by road, and neither the fair nor the tourism board lists a shuttle. Arrive for the 9:30 a.m. market, when the day's prices are set.

The next valley east is the Val Parma, home of Torrechiara Castle and the Langhirano ham houses. A fair morning, a truffle lunch and the castle in the afternoon is a realistic Sunday. If you want to go out with a dog and a truffle hunter rather than just buy, see our truffle hunting page. For bases in the hills, see the Parma Hills.

Pasta, Truffle & Wine in a Medieval Village Near Parma

Transport is not in the price; a transfer from central Parma can be arranged when booking. The listing puts Calestano about 40 minutes away.

3 hours

4.8★★★★★★★★★★(119 reviews)

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Truffle Hunting & Lunch halfway from Parma to Cinque Terre

This is Valmozzola, not Fragno. You drive there; pickup costs €50 extra from Solignano or Berceto station, €130 from Parma.

3 hours

5.0★★★★★★★★★★(50 reviews)

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Booking through these links supports this site at no cost to you. Prices move by date, so we do not print them here; the official prices we checked are in the page above.