Bocca della Selva: A Sanctuary of World-Class Truffles and Porcini

Tucked away in the National Park of Matese mountain range of southern Italy, Bocca della Selva is a hidden treasure for gourmet foragers and culinary connoisseurs. This high-altitude locality, part of the Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park, is famed not just for its pristine forests and alpine charm—but for producing some of the finest wild mushrooms and truffles found anywhere in the world.

Truffle hunting in Bocca della Selva is a time-honored tradition. Local tartufai (truffle hunters) use generations-old techniques, often passed from parent to child, to locate these underground delicacies. With the help of specially trained dogs, they scour the forest floor at dawn, guided by instinct, experience, and the subtle signs of nature.

The porcini harvest is equally revered. Foragers rise early to beat the sun and competitors, navigating secret trails and mossy glades where the mushrooms emerge overnight. The best specimens are firm, unblemished, and carry the unmistakable scent of the forest.