Fiera di Merci Varie, Castagnata e Sagra dello Sgabeo

The great autumn festival of Val di Vara

The Fiera di Merci Varie, Castagnata e Sagra dello Sgabeo is the most important autumn event in Borghetto di Vara, a town in the hinterland of the province of La Spezia, a hub of the Val di Vara. For an entire day, from morning to evening, the historic centre is transformed into a large open-air market with over one hundred stalls of all kinds.

Sgabeo and the flavours of chestnuts

The star of the table is the sgabeo, a typical strip of leavened bread dough fried in boiling oil, served stuffed with cured meats and cheeses: a specialty of Val di Vara and Lunigiana that is worth the trip on its own. Alongside the sgabei, the stands offer roasted chestnuts from local woods, castagnaccio prepared according to the traditional recipe, and chestnut flour fritters, accompanied by good new wine and apple cakes made by the village cooks.

Vintage engines and folk music

The festival is not just about food: during the day, you can admire vintage cars, motorcycles, buses, and tractors displayed in various parts of the town, while folk and popular music accompanies the stroll among the stalls. In historical editions, a shuttle service with vintage vehicles to nearby Brugnato is also provided.

Borghetto di Vara, gateway to the hinterland of La Spezia

Located along the valley connecting the coast and the Cinque Terre to the Ligurian hinterland, Borghetto di Vara retains the authentic character of mountain villages. The autumn fair is the ideal opportunity to discover this territory, its flavours, and its traditions, on one of the liveliest days of the year.