Brugnato between River Landscapes, History and Flavour

Brugnato between River Landscapes, History and Flavour

Brugnato lies at the confluence of the Vara River and its tributary, the Gravegnola, amid the natural landscape of the Montemarcello-Magra Regional Park.

Nature and Trails around the Town

A few kilometres from Brugnato, the Santuario di Nostra Signora dell’Ulivo stands on a green hill. The natural surroundings offer a dense network of trails for hiking enthusiasts. One trail leads from Brugnato via Zignago to the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. The Levanto–Pontremoli section of the Via dei Monti can be explored by mountain bike.

Churches, Museums and Older Traces

The Oratorio di San Bernardo was probably built during the abbey period as a place of prayer for travellers. The Convento dei Padri Passionisti and the adjoining Church of San Francesco were completed in 1635. The Ponte romano sul fiume Vara in Brugnato is attributed to the 16th century. Bozzolo is a small village clustered around the 18th-century Church of Sant’Antonio Abate.

Brugnato’s older local history also includes the Via dei Monti as a historic route through the town itself. In the Middle Ages, it is thought to have led through Brugnato’s historic centre and through the still-preserved gates, Porta Soprana and Porta Sottana.

The Museo Diocesano is located in the Palazzo Vescovile next to Brugnato Cathedral. Its archaeological section on the ground floor displays the remains of the ancient Benedictine abbey on which the church complex was built. The museum mainly exhibits paintings from the Genoese school; its diocesan section is located on the upper floors. The Museo civico mineralogico “Ambrogio del Caldo” displays minerals from Ligurian valleys, as well as material from other Italian regions and South America.

Festivals with Strong Local Roots

The annual Festa di San Pietro takes place on 29 June in honour of the cathedral’s patron saint and is considered Brugnato’s oldest festival. The celebrations in honour of San Bernardo Abate culminate in a procession in which numerous Ligurian confraternities take part, carrying Cristi richly decorated with gold leaf. Every year, the Infiorata del Corpus Domini covers Brugnato’s main streets with a floral carpet almost one kilometre long.

The annual Festa della Croce Azzurra adds food stalls and dance evenings to the festival calendar.

Ligurian Specialities

Bakeries in Brugnato sell the soft, golden Canestrello di Brugnato, flavoured with wild fennel. Its recipe was rediscovered or revived in 2024. In Brugnato, the traditional dishes served for Lunedì dell’Angelo, known as Pasquetta, include cima, torta di riso, stuffed chicken and the Easter cake cavagnetto.

Practical Information

According to the available local data, the Brugnato–Borghetto motorway exit on the A12 is 1 km from Brugnato.

Discover other places: Lavaggiorosso, Ortonovo, Bolano, Cerreta, Pegui, Riccò Del Golfo Di Spezia, Caranza, Bovecchio

For the broader travel overview: La Spezia.