Piana Battolla

Piana Battolla lies on the right bank of the Vara; the Rio Cambertano also flows into the river near the town. River routes, local history and food culture offer concrete points of reference when choosing a hotel. These themes appeal to different travel interests: riverside scenery and hiking, architectural and local history, or the Asado tradition. The riverside location and named routes may be particularly relevant to your decision if you would like to focus on excursions on foot or historical topics.

Riverside Setting and Routes

The riverside setting describes Piana Battolla, while the confluence refers to where the Rio Cambertano joins the Vara. The provincial road between Piano di Follo and Piana Battolla runs west via Beverino to the Aurelia state road. A specific route is named for hiking: the path from Piana Battolla via Beverino to Padivarma follows the route of the “Strada dei Tedeschi.” The hiking trail on the right bank of the Vara offers several views of the river; at the same time, it runs through shaded surroundings. The road and hiking trail provide different directions: one describes a westward continuation to the Aurelia, while the other is a route with Padivarma as its destination. Check trail conditions before setting out on a hike.

A Dated Glimpse of River Nature

On 12 May 2019, the event “Sei trota o lampreda?” took place in the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Park. It was followed by a short walk along the Vara. During the guided walk, participants were introduced to the river landscape and the fish species found in the river.

Local History and Church

The historic center 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. The construction period and consecration date mark two separate stages in the church’s history: the consecration followed the completion of the lengthy construction phase. Alongside the church, two further historical themes offer a perspective on the town over time. In the Middle Ages, Piana Battolla was an important passage point for pilgrims traveling to the Holy City. From 1800 onward, the town was also an important trading center where residents obtained raw materials. In chronological order, these connections lead from medieval pilgrim traffic, through the trading center from 1800 onward, to the 19th-century church.

Asado and Local Food Culture

The Asado of Piana Battolla is a meat dish prepared in the style of Argentine gauchos. The meat is cooked slowly over embers and enhanced with “Cimiciuri” sauce. The tradition’s history includes people who returned after working for an extended period in Latin America in the postwar period and brought the dish with them. This brings together a specifically described method of preparation and a story of work and return. If you include local food culture in your choice of destination, the Asado offers a distinct theme alongside the river landscape and local history.

Discover more destinations: Castello, Ameglia, Carro, Pegui, Manarola, Isola, Vignana, Marinella Di Sarzana

For the broader travel overview: La Spezia.