Antica Giostra del Pitu

Why it's special

The Pitu — the turkey — is put on trial and condemned in full dialect, a satirical hangover from an old propitiatory peasant rite, before the seven contrade race it out on horseback. It's odd, funny and completely local, and there's no equivalent anywhere else near here.

Programme · 2026

Historical costume procession, a satirical trial of 'il Pitu' (the turkey) conducted in Piedmontese dialect, and an equestrian contest between the town's seven quarters, with food served by the local Pro Loco.

• The dialect trial is the heart of it — you won't follow every word, but the crowd's reaction carries it.
• The Pro Loco runs the food, so come hungry.
• Details from the comune, comune.tonco.at.it.

Every spring Tonco puts a turkey on trial. The Pitu — Piedmontese for turkey — is paraded, accused and condemned in full dialect, a piece of theatre left over from an old propitiatory rite the peasants once ran to see off a lean year. You won't catch every line, but you don't need to; the whole square is in on the joke.

Then the seven quarters of the town settle it the way these things get settled here, on horseback, contrada against contrada. It's one of the more evocative reenactments in the Monferrato astigiano, and unlike anything in the nearby wine towns.

The Pro Loco handles the eating. Check the year's date with the comune — dates above.