Aj a Caraj — Caraglio Garlic Fair and Bagna Càuda Festival

A fair for Caraglio garlic

"Aj a Caraj" (Piedmontese for "Garlic in Caraglio") is the event that every autumn transforms the historic center of Caraglio, a town in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, into a showcase for its most precious product: Caraglio garlic. Now in its twenty-third edition, the fair celebrates an ancient crop, linked for centuries to family gardens and the vineyards of the Castello hill, now recognized as a Traditional Agri-food Product and protected by a Slow Food Presidium for its historic garlic variety.

The historic Caraglio garlic

Caraglio garlic is a small, bulbous vegetable with tapered cloves, recognizable by their wine-red streaks. Planted in autumn and harvested in June, it is grown using traditional techniques, without synthetic chemicals, dried on racks, and packaged by hand. The fair was created specifically to promote this agricultural heritage of the Caraglio area, at the mouth of the Grana Valley, with the support of the Consortium and the Garlic Brotherhood.

The Bagna Càuda Festival

Alongside the fair, the Bagna Càuda Festival brings to the table the signature dish of Piedmontese conviviality: the famous fujot, a hot sauce made with garlic, anchovies, and oil, to be enjoyed with cooked and raw vegetables. The highlight is the Sunday lunch, served in multiple sittings under the Pellerin wing in Piazza Cavour, as well as the Saturday evening dinner. Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited.

Two days of festivities in the historic center

During the weekend, the town's streets come alive with a large exhibition of local products and crafts, a children's market, roasted chestnuts from the Pro Loco, and Occitan dances that recall the traditions of the Cuneo valleys. The event is organized by the Pro Loco Insieme per Caraglio Tourist Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Caraglio.

Why attend

• Discover the historic Caraglio garlic, a Slow Food Presidium
• Taste authentic bagna càuda prepared according to tradition
• Experience the atmosphere of a Piedmontese village festival
• Buy local products and handicrafts
• Watch Occitan dances and enjoy the autumn chestnut roast