Fornaci without Borders
The great challenge between the four districts of Fornaci di Barga
About Fornaci without Borders
A district challenge that ignites Fornaci di Barga
In Fornaci di Barga, a village in the municipality of Barga in the province of Lucca, deep in the heart of Garfagnana, one of the most beloved village festivals in the middle Serchio Valley comes to life every spring: Fornaci without Borders. This is no ordinary festival; it is a true competition between the four local districts—Caterozzo, Case Operaie, Fornaci Vecchia, and Centro—who battle point by point for months to claim the final victory.
The concept is simple yet effective: transform an entire town into a collective playground where every resident can support their district with stadium-like enthusiasm. More than just a competition, it is a great social event that brings together children, teenagers, and adults, restoring the sense of community that small Tuscan villages still cherish.
Months of challenges, from spring to summer
The event follows a long calendar that kicks off in spring with the Spring Games: tournaments of briscola, foosball, canasta, table tennis, and darts held in parish halls, awarding the first precious points in the standings. Each district fields its own teams, and nothing is left to chance, as every result impacts the final outcome.
The heart of the festival, however, arrives in June, when the town comes alive with five-a-side football and volleyball tournaments, themed evenings, group games, and the famous grand finale featuring its most spectacular and lighthearted contests. The season concludes with a large communal dinner that brings all the districts together at the table, accompanied by live music.
A young but deeply rooted tradition
Fornaci without Borders is a recent event—the first edition dates back to 2025—but it took only one year to become a highly anticipated date for the entire Fornaci community. Born from the joint efforts of the local sports club, the parish, and a large group of volunteers, both young and old, the festival is now one of the iconic summer events in Fornaci di Barga.
For those visiting the Garfagnana and the Serchio Valley in June and July, attending a day of Fornaci without Borders means discovering the most authentic and vibrant side of this corner of Tuscany, far from the beaten tourist paths and immersed in the genuine spirit of a village festival.
Fornaci without Borders — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the second of the event, was presented on March 5th at the Puccini cinema in Fornaci. Among the announced novelties: spring Spring Games in the parish halls, a mixed relay race through the town streets, a human-sized Goose Game at Parco Rosso, rule changes for the grand finale, and a "revised and improved" Trivia night. The four districts are led by captains Michele Guarino (Caterozzo), Marco Bernardi (Case Operaie), Luca Casciani (Fornaci Vecchia), and Emanuele Carlesi (Centro).
The climax began on June 3rd at Parco Rosso—used as an alternative to the main square, which was unavailable due to construction—with great public success and the presence of Mayor Caterina Campani and organizers Don Giovanni Cartoni, Paolo Capannacci, and Marco Franchi.
Programme Fornaci without Borders 2026
Spring Games (March - May)
Evening tournaments (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 PM) in the parish halls, four pairs per district:
- March 17 — Briscola tournament
- March 26 — Foosball tournament
- April 9 — Canasta tournament
- April 21 — Table tennis tournament
- May 7 — Darts tournament
June — the main phase
- June 1 — "Festival of festivals" at the red field (afternoon); 11 PM first official party with dance night
- June 2 — District parade and mixed relay race through the town streets
- Football tournament ("Orlando" stadium): June 3, 5, 9; final June 15
- Volleyball tournament (red field): June 4, 8, 10; final June 17
- June 12 — Trivia night at the red field
- June 18 — Human-sized Goose Game at Parco Rosso
- June 21 (Sunday) — Grand finale: tug-of-war, filetto, brick race, transfer, flying carpet, cross-country skiing, frisbee, standing bike race, plus games dedicated to children and teenagers
Final dinner
- July 4 — "Rioni a tavola" at Parco Rosso, with the Rockestra Band and Chiacchiere sonore
Highlights Fornaci without Borders 2026
Prices Fornaci without Borders 2026
Practical information — Fornaci without Borders
Location
Events are held in Fornaci di Barga (Municipality of Barga, province of Lucca), across Parco Rosso, local sports facilities (the "Orlando" stadium, the red field, and Parco Menichini), and the town's parish halls.
How to get there
By car: Fornaci di Barga can be reached via the SS12 del Brennero or the SR445 of the Garfagnana. By train: Fornaci di Barga station on the Lucca–Aulla line. Nearest airport: Pisa.
Admission
Most events are free and open to the public. Reservations are generally required for the final "Rioni a tavola" dinner.
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Where does it take place — Fornaci without Borders
Parco Rosso e impianti sportivi di Fornaci di Barga