Bagnasco: Bal do Sabre, Mountains and Regional Cuisine

Bagnasco combines a sword dance that has remained vibrant with mountain landscapes, historic sites and a distinctive bean culture.

Bal do Sabre and peasant culture

Bagnasco is one of the few places in Italy and Europe where the Bal do Sabre has remained vibrant as a sword dance. The dance includes the symbolic elements of chain, rose, circle and braided band, and is connected with the peasant culture that shaped the valleys. For visitors interested in culture, Bagnasco thus offers a tangible insight into a local tradition whose expression is closely linked to life in the valleys.

Castle ruins and regional cultural sites

Above the town, the remains of the old Castle of Bagnasco stand on a hill, with its old walls. The Castello di Murialdo and Castello di Roccavignale, both ruins, are also located in the area around Bagnasco. In the wider regional area are the Museo Della Ceramica Di Mondovi' as a museum and Castello di Cosseria as a ruin.

Santa Giulitta and the mountain landscape

The Cappella di Santa Giulitta stands on the mountain of the same name at an altitude of 851 meters in the Bagnasco area, on the right bank of the Tanaro. An easy hike from Bagnasco to the Cappella di Santa Giulitta takes 1 hour and 10 minutes, covers 334 meters of elevation gain and is 3.4 kilometers long. The route combines a sacred site with a climb whose length and duration are clearly limited. The 334 meters of elevation gain are part of the ascent and should be taken into account alongside the distance when planning the day. Despite its 3.4 kilometers, the route involves an ascent and can be planned as a separate excursion within a day's itinerary.

Bric Mindino and Monte Settepani, two mountains, are located in the area around Bagnasco. The wider regional area also includes Monte Galero and Monte Antoroto. The different regional locations argue against planning them all as nearby destinations: Bric Mindino and Monte Settepani are in the surrounding area, while Monte Galero and Monte Antoroto are in the wider regional area. Those who want to give greater weight to landscapes and elevations on a trip to Italy can consider the four mountains a separate regional focus alongside culture and cuisine.

Palestra di Roccia

The Palestra di Roccia in Bagnasco was established in the 1980s. Two additional sectors with short, low-difficulty routes were opened at the Palestra di Roccia, suitable for beginners and courses.

Bianco di Bagnasco and local recipes

Bagnasco is also connected with a regional product: Bianco di Bagnasco is a climbing bean variety whose seeds can be cooked fresh or dried. Starting in 2000, the Sagra del fagiolo Bianco di Bagnasco was established as a two-day festival. Traditional local recipes and, in particular, pasta e fagioli could be sampled; the product was also sold at a market. The bean thus directly represents part of the local food culture and an event at which the product, recipes and market came together.

More destinations

For more travel ideas, you can also discover Savigliano, Cuneo, Castellinaldo, Terme di Valdieri, Feisoglio, Bonvicino, Grinzane Cavour and San Bernardino.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.