Fiazein Festival

A village festival in the heart of the Ovadese

The Fiazein Festival is one of the most anticipated summer events in the Battagliosi hamlet, a small village in the municipality of Molare, in the province of Alessandria, Lower Piedmont. For nearly thirty years, the Pro Loco Battagliosi-Albareto has organized this celebration, which draws visitors from across the Ovadese and Monferrato areas, turning the village streets into a large, convivial gathering focused on great food and music.

The fiazein, a De.Co. specialty

The true star of the festival is the fiazein, a tasty focaccina cooked directly on a griddle and filled in many different ways: salami, lard, gorgonzola, mortadella, or, in the sweet version, Nutella. This local tradition has held De.Co. (Municipal Designation of Origin) status since 2008, a recognition that protects its recipe and its bond with the Molare territory. Served hot and fragrant, the fiazein is the quintessential peasant snack of this corner of Piedmont.

Tradition, music, and fun

The festival typically takes place on the second weekend of June, with the preparation of the fiazein starting in the afternoon and continuing into the evening. The tasting is accompanied by draft beer and live music, with dance orchestras and bands enlivening the evenings. Plenty of space is dedicated to families and children, with a free-to-enter gymkhana for kids, inflatables, and games.

An opportunity to discover Molare and the Ovadese

Visiting the Fiazein Festival is also a chance to discover Molare and the Ovadese region, a land of hills, vineyards, and rural villages just a few kilometers from Ovada and the Ligurian border. The Battagliosi hamlet, nestled in the greenery, offers the ideal setting for an outdoor day that combines flavor, popular tradition, and social connection—values that have always characterized Piedmontese festivals.