Festa della Michetta

The legend of the michetta

The Festa della Michetta is the event that every August 16th renews in Dolceacqua, in the Val Nervia in the province of Imperia, the memory of a historical episode from 1364. According to tradition, the citizens rose up against the infamous jus primae noctis claimed by the Imperial tyrant Doria on young brides. The michetta, a local sweet with a characteristic shape, became a symbol of that rebellion and of the freedom regained.

A festival among the alleys

During the festival, the young people of the town ask the girls for the michetta, who distribute it as a sign of goodwill during a cheerful musical spree through the village alleys. The sweet, recognized as a De.C.O. (Denominazione Comunale d'Origine) product, is the absolute protagonist of the day, amidst music, costumes, and moments of collective celebration.

Dolceacqua and its traditions

The Festa della Michetta is an integral part of Dolceacqua's identity, a village famous for its medieval bridge and the Castello dei Doria, immortalized by Monet, and for its Rossese wine, Liguria's first DOC. The recurrence unites history and gastronomy in a story that fascinates residents and visitors.

Memory and taste

More than just a sagra (local festival), the festival is a rite that celebrates the freedom and pride of a community. For those visiting the Riviera Ligure di Ponente during Ferragosto, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic village and one of its most heartfelt traditions.