Prati: Historic Village Center and Hazelnut Tradition

Prati is a district of Mezzanego with a well-preserved historic village center. The church, oratory, traditional autumn festival, and hazelnut culture offer concrete points of interest to help you plan your trip. If you’re looking for accommodation in Prati, these different facets can help you get a sense of the place and decide which experiences you’d like to make the focus of your stay.

Church and Historic Village Center

The Church of Nostra Signora del Carmine is in the center of the lower village. From the road, a short flight of steps leads up to the churchyard. It is laid out using the traditional Risseu technique and is partly covered by a wisteria pergola. These details bring together different impressions in one place: the pattern of the churchyard, the shade of the pergola, and the church’s setting within the village.

The church houses a painting by Perin del Vaga. The Oratorio di San Rocco stands right next to the Church of Nostra Signora del Carmine. Together, the two buildings reflect the religious and artistic history of the village center, without requiring a lengthy list of sights. If you’re interested in architecture and art, there are several specific features here to focus on: the landscaped churchyard, the partly covered area, and the painting inside the church.

Autumn Festival and Hazelnut Tradition

The Fiera degli Angeli – Castagnata is a traditional autumn festival in Prati di Mezzanego and is typically held in mid-October. Its seasonal timing gives the festival a clear place in the calendar; if you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the event dates in advance.

Hazelnuts are also connected with the village’s history. The old Cogozzo family mill in Prati di Mezzanego is associated with traditional hazelnut cultivation, from the forest through to processing the nuts. The 2026 Nocciola in Festa program includes a visit to the old hazelnut mill. The 2026 Nocciola Trekking combines a visit to the mill with lunch featuring hazelnut-based products. Both activities are part of the 2026 programs. If you’re planning to travel for one of these events, it’s a good idea to check the dates in advance.

Hiking and Getting Around

Hikers can consider the ridge walk from Prati di Mezzanego to Monte Ramaceto. It runs through the Ligurian Apennines and, according to the route description, offers 360-degree views from the Alps to Corsica. The Prati di Mezzanego–Monte Ramaceto trail starts near the church in Vignolo. Before setting out, it’s a good idea to check the conditions on the lower section.

Another route description covers the Pezze (Monte delle) circular route from Vignolo: it descends to the church square in Prati di Mezzanego. The routes therefore differ in the features specifically described: the ridge walk focuses on the route to Monte Ramaceto and its views, while the circular route follows a downhill path to the church square.

For road directions, Provincial Road 37 di Semovigo is a named reference point. It starts in Prati di Mezzanego at S.P. 586 and runs to San Siro Foce. Together with the village and route descriptions, this gives you a clearer picture of the factors to consider when choosing a stay in Prati: the historic village center, seasonal events, hazelnut culture, or hiking routes.

Discover more destinations: Gorreto, Sestri Ponente, Favale Di Malvaro, Testana, Carasco, Borzonasca, San Colombano, Rossiglione.

For the broader travel overview: Genoa.