Cantamaggio of Varese Ligure

A rite that returns every May 1st

Cantamaggio is one of the most evocative traditions of the upper Val di Vara, in the province of La Spezia. Every May 1st, Varese Ligure relives an ancient collective rite: the maggianti, a spontaneous and open group that brings together the elderly, adults, young people, and children, walk through the alleys of the historic center singing.

The meaning of the songs

The songs of Cantamaggio are songs of good omen that celebrate the end of winter and the awakening of nature. The tradition has its roots in the oldest agricultural cults, linked to the seasonal cycles and the fertility of the land: an intangible heritage that connects Varese Ligure to a peasant world made of observing the weather and gratitude for the returning spring.

The journey through the houses

During the walk through the village, the 'maggianti' stop in front of the houses and, in exchange for their songs, receive wine, food, and offerings from the families. It is a gesture of exchange and reciprocity that strengthens community ties. The traditional song, which had almost been lost, was revived in the seventies thanks to local ethnographic research, and has been passed down from generation to generation ever since.

The Borgo Rotondo

Varese Ligure is famous for its Borgo Rotondo, a rare example of circular medieval architecture, and for being awarded the Orange Flag by the Touring Club Italiano. Cantamaggio, which starts in the heart of this historic center, is the most authentic way to discover a town that has made tradition and sustainability its identity.