Events in the Watermill area
Don’t miss out on the dozens of events in Fivizzano and the local area during the year. Of particular interest are the local 'sagras' which celebrate all sorts of crops - grapes, onions, chestnuts, porcini, beans, among them - and lovely ways of cooking them. There are also fun historical events in Fivizzano, Gragnola and elsewhere. Check with the Tourist office in Fivizzano for times etc.
Programme to follow
3 May:
Camminar Mangionado Valle di Rosaro (Fivizzano)
First edition of this ‘walking and eating’ event in the valley of the River Rosaro – a walk of some 10 km, easy for everyone , on rural roads, footpaths, through villages with stands in the streets offering typical local products.
23 May:
At the table with Gioachino Rossini (near Fivizzano)
Dinner and buffet with dishes inspired by the famous composer, at Agriturismo “La Luna” di Quarazzana, near Fivizzano) Booking required: Email: lalunadiquarazzana@gmail.com Tel: 331-3111202
23 May:
Labirinto del Baffardello(Sassalbo)
The Labyrinth of Baffardello, a mystery event (to us) in the Appennine village of Sassalbo, above Fivizzano.
24 May:
(Fivizzano)
Commemoration of the First World War
31 May to 1/2 June:
Fivizzano sapori (Fivizzano)
Sapori is Italian for flavours and this is an exhibition and market of local produce (including wines) and dishes from Lunigiana and surrounding areas. In the former Augustinian Convent (cloisters, frescoes) in the centre of the town (bust of a pope outside) and at stalls and open-air kitchens all round the town, with traditional music and dancing in the squares of Fivizzano.
31 May - 1/2 June:
Fivizzano Sapori (Fivizzano)
Sapori is Italian for flavours and this is an exhibition and market of local produce (including wines) and dishes from Lunigiana and surrounding areas. In the former Augustinian Convent (cloisters, frescoes) in the centre of the town (bust of a pope outside) and at stalls and open-air kitchens all round the town, with traditional music and dancing in the squares of Fivizzano.
7 June:
(Fivizzano)
Religious procession of Corpus Domini, The Body of our Lord.
12 - 14 June:
Sasi Rock & Roll (Monzone)
Lively music and typical local dishes served in Monzone (on the way to Equi Terme).
20 - 22 June:
In Fermento (Fivizzano)
The fourth year of this artisan beer festival in Fivizzano, concentrating on beers made by microbreweries. Beer tasting. More information on 0585 942138.
21 - 22 June:
Festa Patronale San Giovannini (Tenerano)
In the ancient borgo of Tenerano with fireworks and tables of typical Lunigiana produce, to celebrate the village's patron saint.
21 June:
Festa delle streghe (Verrucola)
A ‘witches festival’ in the village of Verrucola, above Fivizzano, with it imposing Malaspina castle.
26 - 28 June:
Lunigiana Music Festival (Moncigoli)
Outdoor rock concerts in the grounds of the Agriturismo La Praduscella on the edge of Moncigoli, the next village to Posara: from the mill turn left on to the Via Provinciale in Posara and go straight on at the bridge to Moncigoli; through Moncogoli, La Praduscella is at the end of the village on the left.
26 - 28 June:
Cene Rinascimentali (Fivizzano)
A series of dinners with a Renaissance theme: costumed ladies, courtly knights, flag throwing, juggling and archery, recalling the historic life of this Medici town. All the dinners are held in the Piazza della Libertà (above the bus station, right of the Via Roma).
26 - 27 June:
Festival della Fiaba Popolare (Equi Terme)
A festival celebrating popular fairy tales at the nearby spa town of Equi Terme.
27 - 29 June:
Sasi Rock & Roll (Monzone)
Lively music and typical local dishes served in Monzone (on the way to Equi Terme). More information on 0585 942138.
3 - 5 July:
Festa della birra (Mozzano)
Lots of beer tasting in Mozzano, just off the road to Equi Terme.
3 - 5 July:
Disfida degli Arceri di Terra e di Corte (Fivizzano)
Fivizzano's magical medieval/renaissance festival of archery, jousting, flag-throwing and fire-eating and more. A disfida is a 'challenge'.
17 - 19 July:
Sagra delle Anguille (Gassano)
Gassano is a nearby village on the Equi Terme road. This is a historic eel feast, with live music.
17 - 19 July:
Pioero Fest (Pieve di Viano)
An outdoor German beer festival at Pieve di Viano near the village of Gragnola on the Equi Terme road. Beer, food, music and dancing.
20 - 25 July
Settimana dello Sport (Fivizzano)
A week of sports' events centred around the Piazza della Liberta.
24 - 26 July:
Festa della Birra (Bardine)
Beer festival with tastings of beer and local produce. Bardine is in the middle of nowhere, off the road to Equi Terme.
24 - 26 July, 31 July - 2 August:
26th Sagra della Focaccetta (Lago Fario - Soliera Apuana)
Held beside a trout lake the festival of focaccette (freshly cooked pitta-like bread), with hams, cheeses and other Lunigiana delicacies. Live music. Lago fario is by Soliera: from the mill turn left on to the Via Provinciale in Posara and go straight on at the bridge to Moncigoli; through Moncigoli, down the hill to Soliera, turn left at bottom edge of the village, Lago fario is on the left, signposted.
25 - 26 July :
Infabo Fest (Gragnola)
Beer festival in a village on the road to Equi Terme.
25 July:
Raduno di Mountainbike (Fivizzano)
Mountain bike rally in Fivizzano
26 July:
Festa della Famiglia (Fivizzano)
Family festival in Fivizzano.
26 July:
Festa del grano (Mulino di Arlia)
Festival celebrating wheat at the restored watermill at Arlia, near Fivizzano
27 July - 2 August:
Palio Comunale della Tragia (Gassano)
Village district teams compete pulling a tragia (a kind of sled originally pulled by oxen, used in the past for the transportation of hay) in and around a village on the road to Equi Terme.
30 July:
Stranottura del Vino(Fivizzano)
An evening of wine in Fivizzano.
31 July:
La Notte Magica (Equi Terme)
An archaeological night of’ magic’ in the caves in the nearby spa town of Equi Terme. Artists’ exhibition and cave visits.
24 -26 July, 31 July - 2 August:
26th Sagra della Focaccetta (Lago Fario - Soliera Apuana)
Held beside a trout lake the festival of focaccette (freshly cooked pitta-like bread), with hams, cheeses and other Lunigiana delicacies. Live music. Lago fario is by Soliera: from the mill turn left on to the Via Provinciale in Posara and go straight on at the bridge to Moncigoli; through Moncigoli, down the hill to Soliera, turn left at bottom edge of the village, Lago fario is on the left, signposted.
27 July - 2 August:
Palio Comunale della Tragia (Gassano)
Village district teams compete pulling a tragia (a kind of sled originally pulled by oxen, used in the past for the transportation of hay) in and around a village on the road to Equi Terme.
27 July - 2 August:
Italia's got talent! (Fivizzano)
Talent contest held in the main square of nearby Fivizzano.
Tre sere nel Passato7 - 9 August:
Tre sere nel Passato (Gragnola)
Three evenings from the past: This is the most popular medieval fair in the region and boasts more than 100 shops and stalls. These 'three evenings in the past' have lots of medieval demonstrations and events, from sword-fights to fire-eaters. There's food and music. Gragnola is on the road to Equi Terme. Might be difficult to park, but worth it. For more information see www.valleaquilagragnola.com.
7 - 9 August:
Festa della Birra (Fivizzano)
Beer festival and tastings in the nearby market town of Fivizzano.
11 August:
OPERA in piazza "Cavalleria Rusticana"
Beer festival and tastings in the nearby market town of Fivizzano.
13 - 16 August:
Sagra della Polenta Fritta (Bardine)
Fried polenta (maize dough) with delicious accompaniments, live music and dancing. Bardine is in the middle of nowhere, off the road to Equi Terme.
14 - 16 August:
Sagra della Trotta (Monzone)
Sports festival in village off the road to Equi Terme.
14 - 16 August:
Notte Matta (Gragnola)
A ‘crazy' night in a village on the road to Aulla.
15 - 16 August:
Sagra del Mirtilllo (Sassalbo)
A ‘festival of myrtle’ in a mountain village in the high Apennines, just off the SS63 on the road to the Cerreto pass.
16 August:
Festa di San Rocco (Mozzano)
Local food and wine in the streets of Mozzano, just off the road to Equi Terme.
Sagra della Pattona 21 - 23, 25, 28 - 30 August:
Sagra della Pattona (Agnino)
Pattona is chestnut flour bread and this festival features typical local cuisine, live music and dancing. Agnino is near the mill: turn right on to the Via Provinciale, then left for Agnino at the bridge of Posara.
21 - 23 August:
La Torre in Festa (Viano)
Food show and local handicrafts market in the medieval village of Viano, off the Equi Terme road near Pian del Mulino.
22 August:
"Spose d'altri tempi" Sfilata di abityi da sposa (Quarazzana)
Food show and local handicrafts market in the medieval village of Viano, off the Equi Terme road near Pian del Mulino.
23 August:
Corsa Amatoriale (S Terenzo Monti)
Food show and local handicrafts market in the medieval village of Viano, off the Equi Terme road near Pian del Mulino.
28 - 30 August:
BorgArte (Moncigoli)
Artistic events in the next village to Posara and the mill
2 - 6 September:
Tango World (Fivizzano)
17th International Festival of Tango Argentino. South America comes to Fivizzano with five nights of tango. Workshops and, of course, dancing!
5 September:
Lunigiana wine and typical food festival (Fivizzano)
A second tasting of Sapori, especially for English-speaking guests. (See also 31 May.) Tasting the best wines and typical products of Lunigiana (bread, oil, cheese, honey, torte etc.), all in the beautiful setting of Piazza Medici.
20 September:
Camminar Mangionando Valle di Lucido (Fivizzano)
Another new ‘walking and eating’ event, this time in the valley of the River Lucido – a walk of some 10 km, easy for everyone , on rural roads, footpaths, through villages with stands in the streets offering typical local products.
11 October:
Castagnata (Mozzano)
A chestnut festival, with tastings of typical local chestnut dishes. Live music. Mozzano is off the Equi Terme road, near Pian di Molino.
17 - 18 October:
Festa di castagne (Sassalbo)
Another chestnut festival, at the Apennine village of Sassalbo, above Fivizzano,off the SS63.
15 November:
Corsa della Castagna (Fivizzano)
The 12 km non-competitive Chestnut Race starts in the morning and there are food and handicraft stalls in the town.
6 - 8 December:
Mercatini di Natale (Fivizzano)
Christmas markets in Fivizzano.
24 - 27 December:
Presepe Vivente (Equi Terme)
A living nativity throughout the village of Equi Terme, with shepherds, artisans, wise men and the Holy Family. This is the 27th year of this marvellous presentation. Check with the Fivizzano tourist office for precise times.
26 December:
Concerto di Natale (Fivizzano)
Arias, duets and tunes from Italian opera in this wonderful Christmas concert.
Area links
Some useful hotlinks - here is a short list of useful websites where you can find out more about Fivizzano and the local area, and the variety of things you can see and do in the immediate environs.