Valamar Blog

The smell of roasted chestnut is present all across Lovran and its surrounding area again this autumn. For more than three decades the Lovran marunada, a festivity dedicated to the harvest of chestnuts during which cake, pastry and old dishes made of this special kind of chestnut grown only in this area in Croatia are tasted, has been taking place every October and it has always been accompanied by music, dancing and having fun. From 13 to 28 October Lovran and the towns of Dobrec and Liganj completely dedicate their everyday activities to chestnuts which have, alongside wine, olives and sweet cherries, significantly influenced the lives of people in this region who have lived on them decades.

Old recipes are taken out from the archives during the manifestation and various cakes, pastries and chestnut dishes, unusually appreciated in gastronomy since the ancient times, are prepared. Alongside the traditional marunjaca (chestnut pastry) and truly different pies, cookies and cakes, chestnuts are used for the preparation of puddings, foamy creams, pancakes, fritule (fritters) and doughnuts and even ice-cream. Instead of sugar, pastries are traditionally sweetened with honey.

However, apart form the dishes made of delicious chestnuts, the guests can enjoy the music, singing and dancing and many other activities. Alongside the rich gastronomic offer, the participants of the 34th chestnut festivity will have the opportunity of enjoying the rich entertainment and music programme with the performances by harmony-singing groups, folklore ensembles and brass orchestras as well as rock bands. This is the last large festivity in this area prior to the New Year holidays and hardly anyone, therefore, misses it. I invite you to come with the following words: “Come to the chestnut festivity, we’ll eat well, drink well, sing and have a great time as always”.