The festival "Her Majesty the Cherry" celebrates this fruit, which represents 40% of cherry production in Italy and is affectionately known as the "Red Gold of Puglia."
The story goes that it all began in 1934 when a cherry pit was accidentally thrown near a railway crossing of the Ferrovie Sud Est, close to the Sammichele di Bari station in Puglia. Giorgio Rocco, the crossing guard with a green thumb, took care of the tree that grew from that pit, which produced cherries of exceptional quality. The name "Ferrovia" comes both from the proximity to the railway and from the cherries' ability to stay fresh during transport to northern Italy in refrigerated freight cars.
Conversano, with its numerous cherry trees, proudly and passionately celebrates the Ferrovia cherry, transforming the town into a grand open-air festival. The historic center of Conversano, particularly Villa Garibaldi, becomes a temple of flavor, offering a variety of cherry-based desserts and dishes, such as cherry ice cream, pasticciotti, and panciliegia. Organized by the cultural association Supernove in collaboration with the Cherry Festival, the Troppo Buono Market features food and wine stands with local delicacies like craft beers and Rural Gin. In addition to cherry tastings, the festival offers folkloric shows, street artists, and guided tours of Conversano's historical gems, such as the Acquaviva d'Aragona Castle and the Basilica Cathedral. The day culminates in a dinner at the Marchione Castle, where renowned chefs prepare a special cherry-based menu.
The event marks the start of a campaign to raise awareness of the Ferrovia cherry and promote the region of Puglia. Antonello Magistà, patron and sommelier of Pashà in Conversano, highlights how the festival is not just a celebration of the cherry but also a way to strengthen local identity and enhance the region.
The celebration of the Ferrovia cherry in Conversano represents an event that blends history, tradition, culture, and gastronomy, attracting visitors from all over Italy and celebrating a fruit that has become a symbol of the Puglia region. During the festival, the historic center comes alive with colors, sounds, and flavors, transforming Conversano into a vibrant stage for events ranging from cherry-flavored delicacy tastings to performances by folk artists and musicians. Renowned chefs reinterpret the Ferrovia cherry in unique dishes, creating an unforgettable experience under the stars at Marchione Castle.
