Sagra dei Muscoli alla Saracena

Mussels take centre stage in Borgomaro

The Sagra dei Muscoli alla Saracena is one of the most beloved summer festivals in Borgomaro, a village in the Maro Valley in the province of Imperia. Despite being nestled in the mountainous hinterland, the village celebrates a seafood dish here: muscoli — mussels, in the Ligurian dialect — cooked according to the special 'alla Saracena' recipe, which gives the sagra its name.

An outdoor dinner under the stars

The heart of the festival is the grand outdoor dinner, served on long wooden tables that fill the village streets and squares. The 'alla Saracena' mussels, flavourful and aromatic, are accompanied by local wine and a dancing evening that continues late into the night, in a convivial atmosphere typical of village festivals in the Ligurian hinterland.

An almost forty-year tradition

Organized by the 'U Castellu' Association, the sagra boasts a long history: in 2025, it reached its 38th edition, a sign of rare continuity and strong roots in the community. It is traditionally held in the first half of July, attracting visitors from all over the Maro Valley and the Imperia coast.

Borgomaro and the Maro Valley

Amidst olive groves and mountains, Borgomaro is a charming village in the hinterland of Imperia, rich in history and traditions. The Sagra dei Muscoli alla Saracena tells of its welcoming spirit, bringing the flavour of the sea to the hills on one of the most anticipated evenings of the summer.