by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Serena Tonel, Deputy Mayor of Trieste and Councilor for Economic Affairs; regional coordinator and national councilor of the National Association of Olive Cities
Trieste will host the 10th edition of Camminata tra gli Olivi on Oct. 24 and 25, offering guided walks, olive oil tastings and discussions on nutrition and local agricultural traditions.
Organized by the National Association of Olive Cities in collaboration with local institutions and associations, the free event will focus on the diversity of Italian olive varieties under the theme “Italy’s Roots: Every Cultivar Has a Story to Tell.”
Saturday’s program will explore the terraced olive groves, known as pastini, along the Carso coastline between Contovello and Prosecco, followed by a tasting of local olive oils and a light lunch at a nearby farm.
On Sunday, participants will follow a guided route through medieval Trieste, including San Giusto Hill and the Old Town, with a stop at the historic olive press on Androna dell’Olio. The walk will continue through the Giuseppino and Teresiano districts, highlighting the role of olive cultivation in the city’s economic history.
A conference at the Museo Teatrale Schmidl will examine the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and the importance of a balanced diet. Speakers will include Bruna Scaggiante of the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer (LILT) and Claudio Tiribelli, scientific director of the Italian Liver Foundation.
The program will conclude with a visit to an agricultural business in San Dorligo della Valle, where participants can learn about olive cultivation and processing, tour an olive grove and taste locally produced oil.
Trieste Deputy Mayor Serena Tonel, who represents the Friuli Venezia Giulia region within the National Association of Olive Cities, said the event would highlight the area’s distinctive Bianchera d’Istria olive variety, valued for its strong flavor and connection to the Carso landscape.
Participation is free but requires advance booking. Saturday’s activities are limited to 50 people, with reservations through Eventbrite. Sunday’s program is limited to 75 participants, with reservations via WhatsApp at +39 335 6675029.
