Bologna will celebrate one of its most recognizable culinary traditions on October 24, 2026, when Mortadella Bologna PGI marks 365 years since a landmark decree established official production rules for the celebrated Italian specialty.
Issued on October 24, 1661, by Cardinal Girolamo Farnese, the decree helped protect the quality and authenticity of mortadella centuries before modern European food certifications existed. The sausage later earned Protected Geographical Indication status in 1998, confirming its place among Italy’s distinctive regional products.
This year also brings the 25th anniversary of the Consorzio Italiano Tutela Mortadella Bologna, established in 2001 to safeguard the product, support producers, and promote its reputation internationally.
The celebrations will take place at Palazzo Re Enzo, in Bologna’s historic center, as part of International Mortadella Day. Organized in collaboration with Mutua Salsamentari 1876, the event will combine food, craftsmanship, and local history.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m., chef Max Poggi and culinary specialist Daniele Reponi will present a cooking demonstration. Historical reenactments between 3 and 5 p.m. will recreate scenes from the Bologna of 1661, while an exhibition will explore the decree’s lasting significance.
At 6 p.m., visitors can enjoy an aperitif featuring three regional specialties: Mortadella Bologna PGI, Piadina Romagnola PGI, and Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI.
Known affectionately as the “Pink Queen,” mortadella has become an ambassador of Italian food culture worldwide. Its anniversary celebrates not only a beloved flavor, but also the generations of expertise that continue to bring Bologna’s traditions to tables across the globe.
