Michetta Festival

The legend of the michetta

The Michetta Festival is the event that every August 16th renews in Dolceacqua, in the Val Nervia, province of Imperia, the memory of a historical episode from 1364. According to tradition, the citizens rose up against the infamous jus primae noctis demanded 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 friendship during a cheerful musical procession through the village alleys. The sweet, recognized as a De.C.O. (Communal Designation of Origin) product, is the absolute protagonist of the day, amidst music, costumes, and moments of collective celebration.

Dolceacqua and its traditions

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

Memory and taste

More than just a simple festival, the event is a ritual that celebrates the freedom and pride of a community. For those visiting the Western Ligurian Riviera on Ferragosto, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic village and one of its most heartfelt traditions.