Castagnata Festival

The Battagliosi Castagnata, an autumn festival in the Ovada area

When autumn paints the hills of the Ovada region in shades of red and gold, the hamlet of Battagliosi-Albareto in Molare gathers for its most cherished cold-season event: the Castagnata. Organized by the Pro Loco Battagliosi-Albareto as part of the "Battagliosi in festa" program, this is one of those classic village festivals where the community comes together in the local square to enjoy traditional flavors and good company. We are in the municipality of Molare, in the province of Alessandria, at the foot of the Ligurian-Piedmontese Apennines, in a corner of Piedmont where rural culture remains vibrant.

Chestnuts and fiazein, the two stars

The heart of the day is the roasted chestnuts, prepared on the spot and served to the crowd; the scent of chestnuts filling the air is the signal that the festivities have begun. Accompanying them is the other great local specialty, the fiazein, a traditional flatbread cooked on a griddle and filled in countless ways—from ham to salami, lard to gorgonzola, and even sweet versions. The fiazein is so deeply tied to this land that it earned De.Co. (Municipal Designation) status in 2008, a recognition that protects its recipe and its bond with the territory. Battagliosi also dedicates the famous Fiazein Festival to it in June, but it is at the October Castagnata that chestnuts and fiazein meet on the same day.

Music, gymkhana, and village atmosphere

The Castagnata is about more than just food. The afternoon is enlivened by live music and, for the children, the traditional gymkhana with prizes, featuring free registration: a staple of Battagliosi festivals designed to involve families and the little ones. The atmosphere is that of an authentic hamlet celebration, where people queue for a portion of roasted chestnuts and chat with the Pro Loco volunteers who have kept this tradition alive for generations.

A piece of Ovada tradition

The Battagliosi Castagnata is part of the rich calendar of food festivals and celebrations that bring the Ovada area and the entire Monferrato region in the province of Alessandria to life. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a hamlet rarely touched by tourist circuits, taste products you won't find elsewhere, and experience the most authentic side of Piedmont—the one of small villages where every festival is a way to preserve collective memory. A simple and sincere event, perfect for an autumn trip through the hills.