Cena Sotto le Stelle in Mologno

A village dinner under the Garfagnana sky

The Cena Sotto le Stelle in Mologno is one of the most cherished village festivals of the summer in the Barga municipality, in the Province of Lucca, at the foot of the Apuan Alps and a stone's throw from the Garfagnana region. Mologno is a small hamlet along the Serchio valley floor, and for two nights a year, its heart shifts to the area of the football pitch and the former schoolhouse, transformed into a large open-air dining room.

Who organizes it

The event is managed by the Mologno Village Committee, in collaboration with the local football team, SIPE FC. It is an event entirely built by local volunteers: the residents themselves cook, serve at the tables, and set up the area, following a tradition of popular festivals that proudly endures in Tuscany. The proceeds support the activities of the community and the sports association.

What to eat

The cuisine is the heart of the evening, with a menu that changes daily and showcases local traditional flavors:

• Maccheroni and porchetta — the house specialty paired with classic roast pork;
• Fogacce Leve — the typical specialty of the Barga area, the star of the second evening.

Dinner is served at communal tables in a friendly, family atmosphere. Reservations are recommended to ensure the best seating arrangements.

Music and atmosphere

Every evening, the dinner continues with live music and entertainment until midnight, allowing guests to linger after the meal with dancing, chatting, and the fresh air of a summer night. It is the type of festival where everyone knows each other, you end up sitting next to strangers and making friends: the essence of Tuscan village social life.

A piece of authentic Barga

Part of the rich calendar of village festivals that enliven the Barga territory between June and July, the Cena Sotto le Stelle in Mologno is a perfect opportunity for those visiting the Garfagnana who want to experience an authentic event, off the beaten tourist path. Barga, with its medieval village and famous Cathedral, is just a few minutes away, and the area offers nature, rivers, and mountains all around.