Festa della Castagna

The chestnut, Calizzano's gold

The Festa della Castagna is the most important autumn event in Calizzano, a mountain municipality in the upper Val Bormida in the province of Savona. Nestled in vast chestnut groves, Calizzano boasts a long tradition linked to this fruit, which the festival celebrates every year on the third Sunday of October, attracting visitors from all over the region.

Over fifty stands and the roasted chestnut competition

The town comes alive with over fifty stands dedicated to chestnuts and typical local products. The heart of the festival is the roasted chestnut competition, and the eagerly awaited awarding of the 'Castagna d'oro', an award that recognises quality and tradition. Amidst roasted chestnuts, sweets, and autumn specialities, the day is a true celebration of seasonal flavours.

A mountain tradition

Organised by the Municipality of Calizzano and the Pro Loco (local tourism board), the Festa della Castagna is rooted in the peasant culture of the Ligurian mountains, where the chestnut has been a staple food and economic resource for centuries. Today, the festival is a fixed event on the autumn calendar, successfully combining gastronomy, tradition, and hospitality.

Calizzano and the upper Val Bormida

A popular holiday destination also known for its mushrooms and unspoiled nature, Calizzano is one of the gems of the Savona hinterland. The Festa della Castagna is the ideal opportunity to discover this mountainous territory, its woods, and its flavours, on one of the most beautiful days of the Ligurian autumn.