Holiday apartment in Brugnato: River landscapes, festivals and Ligurian discoveries

Brugnato between rivers and green hills

If you are considering a holiday apartment in Brugnato, river landscapes, nature, cultural heritage and Ligurian traditions come together here. Brugnato lies at the confluence of the Vara River and its tributary, the Gravegnola. The town is situated in the natural landscape of the Montemarcello-Magra Regional Park. A few kilometres away, the Santuario di Nostra Signora dell’Ulivo stands on a green hill. Brugnato therefore combines the immediate waterside landscape with excursions to a distinctive sanctuary.

Holiday apartment in Brugnato amid history and culture

The religious history of the town is reflected in the Oratorio di San Bernardo: it was probably established 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 is also part of Brugnato’s historic character; it is attributed to the 16th century.

One of the highlights is the Museo Diocesano in the Palazzo Vescovile next to Brugnato Cathedral. The archaeological section on the ground floor displays the remains of the ancient Benedictine abbey on which the church complex was built. The collection is characterised mainly by paintings from the Genoese school, while the diocesan section is located on the upper floors. In the small village of Bozzolo, the buildings cluster around the 18th-century church of Sant’Antonio Abate. The Museo civico mineralogico “Ambrogio del Caldo” complements these attractions with minerals from Ligurian valleys, other Italian regions and South America.

Festivals, processions and flower carpets

The annual Festa di San Pietro takes place on 29 June in honour of the cathedral’s patron saint and is regarded as Brugnato’s oldest festival. The celebrations in honour of San Bernardo Abate culminate in a procession featuring numerous Ligurian confraternities and Cristi richly decorated with gold leaf. The annual Infiorata del Corpus Domini covers the main streets with a flower carpet almost one kilometre long. The Festa della Croce Azzurra includes food stalls and evenings of dancing.

Hiking and mountain biking between Brugnato and the mountains

The surrounding area offers various options for active days during your holiday. A hiking trail leads from Brugnato via Zignago to the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. In addition, the natural surroundings feature a dense network of trails for hiking enthusiasts. The Levanto–Pontremoli section of the Via dei Monti can be explored by mountain bike. The connection to the Via dei Monti is also historically interesting: in the Middle Ages, it is believed to have passed through Brugnato’s historic centre and through the still-preserved gates Porta Soprana and Porta Sottana.

Discover Ligurian specialities

Culinary traditions are also part of Brugnato’s character. Bakeries sell the soft, golden Canestrello di Brugnato, flavoured with wild fennel. Its recipe was rediscovered or revived in 2024. On Lunedì dell’Angelo, known as Pasquetta, the traditional dishes served in Brugnato include cima, torta di riso, stuffed chicken and the Easter cake cavagnetto. When choosing a holiday apartment in Brugnato, you can weigh up cultural sightseeing, routes through the countryside and regional specialities as different focal points for planning your trip.

More destinations for planning your trip

Nicola, Castello, Maissana, Monterosso Al Mare, Riccò Del Golfo Di Spezia, Tivegna, Riomaggiore and Borghetto Di Vara

To the higher-level travel overview: La Spezia.