Argentine barbecue and chimichurri in the heart of Val di Vara
The Sagra dell'Asado in Piana Battolla, a hamlet of the Municipality of Follo in the province of La Spezia, is one of the most characteristic events in the hinterland of La Spezia. Founded in 1970 thanks to the Pro Loco San Rocco, the festival is linked to a story of emigration: the asado, meat slowly cooked over coals, is a tradition brought back by emigrants returning from Argentina, which took root here, becoming a community celebration.
The absolute star is the asado, prepared according to the traditional recipe and accompanied by chimichurri sauce and local specialties. Volunteers personally oversee the grilling, in a ritual that draws hundreds of people every evening. The festival is also open for lunch on the central days.
Every evening, the festival features live music on stage, with concerts and entertainment. The highlight is the Ferragosto fireworks display, which on August 15th lights up the sky of Val di Vara, attracting a large audience.
The Sagra dell'Asado is much more than a gastronomic festival: it is a symbol of conviviality and identity for Piana Battolla and Follo. For visitors to the province of La Spezia and Val di Vara, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic event, the result of the encounter between Ligurian and South American culture.
For summer 2026, Pro Loco San Rocco is preparing the 56th edition of the Sagra dell'Asado in Piana Battolla. As tradition dictates, the festival takes place in the central days of August, around Ferragosto, with gastronomic stalls offering barbecued asado accompanied by chimichurri sauce and local specialties.
The evenings are enlivened by live music, and on August 15th, the fireworks display returns to light up the Val di Vara. The exact dates and detailed program will be announced by the Pro Loco in the weeks prior.
Exact dates and program to be confirmed.
Follo and Piana Battolla can be reached from the Santo Stefano di Magra exit of the A12 motorway, heading up Val di Vara. The festival area is located in the hamlet of Piana Battolla.
Free admission; food and drinks at the stalls are paid. On the central days, the festival is also open for lunch.
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Piana Battolla, Follo