Events in the Watermill area in 2011
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 elsehwere. Check with the Tourist office in Fivizzano for times etc.
May 28 & 29; June 2, 4 & 5:
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). Also folk-dancing in the squares of Fivizzano.
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May 28 & 29; June 2, 4 & 5:
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). Also folk-dancing in the squares of Fivizzano.
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June 12 & 13:
Trofeo Città di Fivizzano (Fivizzano)
A riding skills competition in the Piazza della Libertà (above the bus station, right of the via Roma) accompanied by a tasting of typical Lunigiana dishes.
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June 18 & 19:
Festa del Grano (Soliera)
Products made from wheat on display in the streets and shops. Soliera is close to the mill: turn left on to the Via Provinciale in Posara and go straight on at the bridge to Moncigoli; through Moncogoli and down the hill to Soliera.
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June 18 & 19:
In Fermento (Fivizzano)
The second year of this artisan beer festival in Fivizzano, concentrating on beers made by microbreweries.
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June 25 and 26:
Festa delle Streghe (Verrucola)
A night-time Festival of Witches in the village of Verrucola, clustered around the mighty Malaspina castle, just to the North of Fivizzano. Dress as witches: the ugliest will be rewarded! The watermill bears no responsibility for any guest so honoured!
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July 1 to 3:
Sagra della Polenta e Capra (Gassano)
Gassano is on the Equi Terme road. Polenta (maize flour) and capra (goat) combine in a famous local dish. The sagra (a feast or festival) is in its 38th year.
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July 1:
Celebrazione Madonna di Reggio (Fivizzano)
The Madonna, whose statue is above the high altar in the church in the Piazza Medicea, is associated with a famous local miraculous cure. This is a whole day of celebrations for her.
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July 1:
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'.
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July 5 to 7:
Tre sere nel Passato (Gragnola)
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.
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July 11 to 16:
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).
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July 15 and 16:
Lunigiana Music Festival (La Praduscella in 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.
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July 15 to 17:
Dolci Seduzioni d'Estate (Monzone)
Sweet Seduction of Summer, a festival of poetry and music in a beautiful setting with the Apuan Alps in the background. Monzone is off the road to Equi Terme.
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July 24:
Sagra delle Anguille (Gassano)
Gassano is a nearby village on the Equi Terme road. This is a historic eel feast, with live music.
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July 22 to 24:
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.
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July 24:
Festa della Famiglia (Fivizzano)
The traditional family festival in the Piazza Medicea: everyone welcome.
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July 29 and 30:
Armand'la (Cecina)
A celebration of life in the time of our nonne (grandmothers) with real Lunigiana cooking and live music. For directions to Cecina, ask at the tourist office.
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July 29 to 31; August 5 to 7:
Sagra della Focaccetta (Lago fario near Soliera)
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.
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July 29 to 31; August 5 to 7:
Sagra della Focaccetta (Lago fario near Soliera)
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.
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August 5 to 7; August 12 to 16:
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.
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August 8 to 11:
Sagra della Lumaca (Colla)
Savoury snail dishes in these feastsat a village off the Equi Terme road, which can also be reached from Ceserano, off the SS63 at Rometta. Live music.
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August 10:
Palio della Tragia (Gassano)
Five local teams compete in pulling a tragia, a sled-like hay cart, round the village on the night of San Lorenzo. There is food, live music and dancing. Gassano is very near the mill, on the Equi Terme road.
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August 12 to 15:
Sagra della Trota (Monzone)
There is also dancing at the trout feasts in Monzone, a village reached from the road to Equi Terme.
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August 13:
Festa di SS Ippolito e Cassiano (Gragnola)
In conjunction with the feast day of these saints, there is a 'non-competitive foot race' followed by ballroom dancing (with an orchestra) and fireworks at midnight. Gragnola is near the mill on the Equi Terme road.
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August 17 to 27:
Festival Musicale Lunigianese (Fivizzano)
The 4th Lunigiana music festival, with a number of workshops and concerts. You can get more details from the tourist office.
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August 19 to 21:
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.
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August 19 to 21, August 25 to 28:
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.
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August 26 and 27:
Festa del vino locale (Turlago)
Food stands and lots of local wines. Live music. Take the Fivizzano by-pass and turn right at the traffic lights, follow this road for a few kilometres to Turlago.
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September 7 to 11:
Tango World (Fivizzano)
13th International Festival of Tango Argentino. South America comes to Fivizzano with five nights of tango. Workshops and, of course, dancing!
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October 15 and 16:
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.
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October 15 and 16:
Castagnata (Soliera)
Another local chestnut festival with local dishes and handicraft stalls. Soliera is near the mill: turn left on to the Via Provinciale in Posara and go straight on at the bridge to Moncigoli; through Moncigoli and down the hill to Soliera.
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November 13:
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.
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December 8 to 11:
Mercatini di Natale (Fivizzano)
In and around the Piazza Medicea, the youth hostel, Fivizzano's Christmas market with music, carols and, of course, a visit by Santa Claus.
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December 23 to 26:
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 25th year of this marvellous presentation. Check with the Fivizzano tourist office for precise times.
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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.
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