Piana Battolla: Vara River Landscape, Village History and Asado

Piana Battolla lies on the right bank of the Vara River. At Piana Battolla, the Rio Cambertano flows into the Vara. The confluence is located by the river at Piana Battolla.

Village History around Santa Maria Ausiliatrice

The historic centre of Piana Battolla is grouped around the church of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice. It was built between 1824 and 1869 and consecrated on 21 April 1894. However, the history of the village goes back further: in the Middle Ages, Piana Battolla was an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to the Holy City. From as early as 1800, the village was also an important trading centre where residents obtained raw materials. The medieval pilgrimage role forms part of the village's longer history.

Vara Landscape and Paths through the Surrounding Area

The provincial road between Piano di Follo and Piana Battolla continues westwards via Beverino to the Aurelia state road. Another route leads from Piana Battolla via Beverino to Padivarma along the route of the “Strada dei Tedeschi”. Both routes pass through Beverino, but they do not lead to the same destination. The provincial road continues to the Aurelia; the route along the “Strada dei Tedeschi” leads to Padivarma.

The hiking trail of the “Strada dei Tedeschi” runs along the right bank of the Vara. It offers views of the river at several points and passes through shaded surroundings. Along the right bank, views of the river alternate with shaded sections of the trail. A park programme also included a guided walk along the Vara, during which the river landscape and the river's fish species were introduced.

Observations along the Vara

On 12 May 2019, the event “Sei trota o lampreda?” also took place in the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Park, followed by a short walk along the Vara River. The event combined the programme with an additional observation of the river. In this way, both the landscape and the fish species of the Vara became the subject of a guided walk.

Asado and Local Festival Culture

A distinctive culinary aspect of Piana Battolla is asado. This is a meat dish prepared in the Argentine gaucho style, cooked slowly over embers and refined with the “Cimiciuri” sauce. The tradition goes back to returnees who came back after extended periods of work in Latin America during the post-war period and brought the dish with them. The preparation method and this migration history together form part of the local asado tradition.

The Sagra dell'Asado of Piana Battolla takes place on the days around 16 August. The festival includes painting, music, dancing, traditional cuisine and wines. The festival days combine asado with a varied cultural and culinary programme.

Other Specific Places in the Municipality

The municipality of Follo also has a municipal green space equipped as a playground.

If you would like to compare more destinations, also discover Sesta Godano, Sarzana, Ortonovo, Bovecchio, Colombiera-Molicciara, Portovenere, Montemarcello and Lavaggiorosso.

To the higher-level travel overview: La Spezia.