The Stories of the Local Ambassadors: Discover La Valle del Gigante Bianco with Viola Bambini

The event celebrating the Chianina breed and rural life

With this series dedicated to the events of the Valdichiana Senese promoted by the Local Ambassadors, we tell the stories and traditions that come to life thanks to the people who make them possible: rituals that travel through time and continue to live through the participation of the community, turning every year into authentic experiences for those who organize them and for those who experience them.

In Bettolle, a hamlet of Sinalunga in the heart of the Valdichiana Senese, “La Valle del Gigante Bianco” comes to life: the event that celebrates Chianina beef in a territory that has played an important role in the selection and promotion of this cattle breed, a symbol of the Valdichiana Senese and its agricultural identity.

Telling us about it is Viola Bambini, social media manager of the Amici della Chianina association and of the event itself, which this year reaches its twenty-first edition and will take place in Bettolle from 30 May to 2 June and from 6 to 8 June.

During the event, visitors will be able to enjoy many experiences designed to tell the story of country life in all its aspects: workshops for children, rural re-enactments, moments dedicated to local traditions and activities able to involve visitors of all ages. Among these, the “matrimonio contadino” stands out: a re-enactment that brings back customs, gestures and atmospheres of rural life from the past.

The gastronomic heart of the event is the Osteria della Chianina, open throughout the whole festival, where visitors can taste traditional dishes linked to local tradition and Chianina cuisine, such as tripe, tongue and sweetbreads.

Another key experience is “Stalle Aperte”: visits by reservation that allow visitors to discover today’s stables up close, putting them in dialogue with the stables of the past. It is a journey that brings visitors closer to the animal, the breeders and the daily work behind the promotion of the Chianina breed.

As Viola Bambini explains, the aim of the event is precisely to promote ingredients, zero-kilometre products and the rural heritage of the Valdichiana Senese, offering the public an authentic experience like true “locals”.

In her story, Viola also shares a place close to her heart: the Sentiero della Bonifica, just a few steps from her home. It is a route surrounded by nature, especially charming in spring, where it is possible to observe unspoilt landscapes, wildlife and views that reveal a slower, quieter side of the Valdichiana.

Watch the full interview to find out more.