On the hills of Bologna there is a history that smells of earth, memory and agricultural resistance. Here, among silent rows and ancient peasant techniques, a small fruit survives, capable of defying the seasons: the Tondo da Serbian from Villa Ghigi, considered the northernmost canned tomato in Italy. It is not just a botanical curiosity, but the symbol of stubborn biodiversity, saved from oblivion thanks to the dedication of those who have chosen not to forget.
Villa Ghigi, an oasis between past and present
It all began in the historic Villa Ghigi estate, active since the sixteenth century and today transformed into a public park which preserves a precious agricultural heritage. In this place, where ancient fruit trees and forgotten varieties coexist, the land still tells of the work of generations. Among these, the Cerè family has preserved for over a century a knowledge of rural tradition and attention to detail, keeping crops alive that have disappeared elsewhere.
Gino Cerè, the keeper of memory
At the center of this story is Gino Cerè, a farmer who dedicated his life to the land and its history. Born in 1939, he worked in the fields of Villa Ghigi for decades, collecting not only fruits but also testimonies of the past. The turning point came by leafing through old notebooks from the 1940s, where the father noted sales and harvests: the small Serbian tomato already appeared among those numbers. From that moment, Cerè decided to protect it, transforming himself into the silent guardian of a unique variety.
A small but extraordinary fruit
The Tondo da Serbian stands out for its precise characteristics: small size, thick skin, intense red color and an extraordinary ability to keep for months. Cultivated with very little water, according to the siccagna method, it keeps its structure intact even after harvesting. Once upon a time it was placed on platforms in the attics, just like grapes, to be used during the winter. It was a precious ingredient, capable of enriching broths and holiday dishes when the garden was now bare.
From tradition to the future of biodiversity
Today this variety continues to live thanks to protection and shared cultivation projects. It is also cultivated outside the original estate and its genetic heritage is preserved in research centers, demonstrating its importance. But its value goes beyond science: it represents a model of sustainable agriculture, linked to the territory and memory.
In an era dominated by the standardization of taste, Villa Ghigi’s Tondo da Serbian tells a different story. That of a small tomato that, against all odds, managed to stay. And to teach that even the simplest things can become extraordinary.
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