Garfagnana Adventures : Special Events in Garfagnana

Throughout the year in Garfagnana, there are many Festa's / Sagras which are local festivals. Most small villages are sometime in the the year have an occasion to celebrate & get together. These festivals if you have a chance to be here for one, add 100% emotion and enjoyment to your time in Garfagnana. Each year there are more & more, from End of june to end of august there are many to see...

see below for special events & festivals

Special Events in Garfagnana !!

Each year the main time for festivals and Sagras is really the holiday period of July and August. This is when most small villages in the valley start to have their local fairs and festivals. Celebrating local foods and traditions, such as trout, polenta and mushroom festivals, to Beer festivals which are now becoming popular. There are music festivals also is the summer months which range from Opera to Rock and local folk music.

Lake Vagli / Lago di Vagli & its underwater village in Garfagnana

Lake Vagli / Lago di Vagli:

NO NEWS AS TO WHEN LAKE WILL BE EMPTIED.

Every 10 years here in the Garfagnana, we see one of the lakes emptied for work and repairs to one of the dams that provide Hydro Electric power to some of the villages of the Garfagnana. This Lake, Lago di Vagli when drained has also the amazing hidden remains of a medieval village called Fabbrice di Carregine.

When the dam was built, the valley was flooded and this village was consumed by the water. Before the rising of the waters, it was a village of artisans and tradesmen who were then moved to new housing on higher ground. Near the village of Vagli Sotto.

This Village called Fabbrice di Carregine, or the Ghost Village, the Paese Fantasma is now otherwise submerged beneath the lake apart from this 10 yearly airing and viewing. Many strange occurances have been sighted in and around the lake since the village was submerged, and some say miracles have taken place. Reasons for which still remain a mystery.

The Village itself, is a medieval village dating back to the 11th century and is a wonder to see when it appears from the water. Nestling is the lower valley with the peaks of the Apuane Alps shadowing the waters and the villages of Vagli Sotto and Sopra and the Shepherds Village of Campocatino.

Medieval Festivals in Garfagnana - a must see !!

May

· Barga (Lucca) La Città della Balestra - Calen di Maggio

July

· Casoli (Bagni di Lucca) Medioevo in Val di Lima
· Sassi (Molazzana) Le vie dell’Ariostovery good festivla
· Coreglia Antelminelli Notte nell’antico borgo
· Villa Basilica Battitura delle spade
· Sillico (Pieve Fosciana) I banditi del Sillico nella Garfagnana dell’Ariosto …all’ora di cena

August

· Trassillico (Gallicano) 1512: l’assedio di Trassillico. Rievocazione storica.
· Castiglione di Garfagnana Giornata medievale tra le mura del Castello
· Lucchio (Bagni di Lucca) Giornata medievale sulle rocche della Lima
· Sillico (Pieve Fosciana) I banditi del sillico nella Garfagnana dell’Ariosto …all’ora di cena This is one of the best festivals around, held 3 times from end of july and frist weeks of august, about 15 euro pp allows one a 3 course meal and a medieval spectacle and great views !!
· Gombereto (Bagni di Lucca) Giornata Medievale sulle Rocche della Lima

Other Special Events

link to full calendar on Ponte nel Tempo web site

Yearly Events in the Garfagnana, and Lower Valley.

Events to Note :

Barga Jazz Festival and Barga Festival della Piazette.- July
Borgo Mozzano Beer Festival – beer, local food, music and fair.- July
Castelnuovo Beer Festival – German food And Beer – August
Sillico Medieval Festival – food, wine and Music - end July
Lucca - Summer Concerts, all main stream International Artists, from Paul Simon to Oasis.
Torre del Lago – Viareggio – Puccini Open Air Opera Festival August
International Folklore Festival – Camporgiano July
Viareggio Carnevale – This is one of the main Italian Carnevals, takes place in February
Pontecosi & villetta Festa's - august
Chesnut Festivals - Cascio, Castelnuovo citta della Casatgna all in nov
Live Nativity Scenes - across Garfagnana villages put on full nativity scenes throughout entire villages, such as Equi Terme.
Lupinaia Chesnut Festival 2nd week of Nov