Revzora in Campo Ligure: the rustic focaccia that tells the story of the village

Nestled amongst the mountains of the Ligurian hinterland, where Liguria meets Piedmont and the Stura, Angassino and Ponzema streams carve out the valley, lies Campo Ligure, one of the most charming villages in the Stura Valley. Listed among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, this small village embodies a history steeped in craftsmanship, rural traditions and authentic flavours.

Whilst the village’s fame is linked above all to its refined silver filigree, there is another expression of its identity that tells the story of daily life in times gone by: the Revzora (or Revžöra), a rustic, fragrant flatbread made with wheat flour and cornflour.

This simple, wholesome dish has its roots in rural culture and today stands as one of the village’s most authentic culinary symbols.

Campo Ligure: a village steeped in history, nature and craftsmanship

Campo Ligure is the perfect example of a historic Italian village. The town is compact and harmonious, with narrow streets, squares, historic buildings and a medieval castle overlooking the village. The historic centre is surrounded by countryside, with woods, pastures and mountains reaching heights of almost 1,000 metres.

The village is nestled between two areas of outstanding natural beauty: the Beigua Regional Nature Park, recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Capanne di Marcarolo Nature Park. This natural setting makes the area ideal for trekking, mountain biking and hiking.

Since ancient times, Campo Ligure has been an important commercial crossroads between Liguria and Piedmont. Over time, it has developed various economic activities, from wood and ironworking to cotton production. However, it was at the end of the 19th century that the craft which still characterises the village today emerged: the art of silver filigree, a refined art that transforms the finest metal wires into precious jewellery.

Alongside its craftsmanship, the village also boasts a strong culinary tradition, featuring local produce, chestnuts, mountain honey, cheeses and traditional farm recipes handed down through the generations.

Ph. Freddyfan89/flickr

La Revzora: the rustic focaccia from Campo Ligure

Among the region’s specialities, Revzora holds a special place. It is a rustic flatbread that differs from the classic Ligurian focaccia due to the addition of cornflour, an ingredient that gives it its characteristic golden colour and crumbly texture.

The dish’s origins probably date back to the 18th century, when wheat flour was in short supply among peasant families and cheaper ingredients were used instead. Revzora thus represented a valid alternative to bread, capable of nourishing and satisfying with just a few simple ingredients.

The name of the dish itself seems to derive from the dialect term ‘ravezö’, which referred to flour waste or a coarse grind rich in bran. Over time, maize became a permanent fixture in the recipe, helping to improve its shelf life and flavour.

Even today, Revzora is prepared in various family and artisanal variations: some bakeries offer it in small flatbreads, others in a baking tray like Genoese focaccia.

Ingredients

300 g type 0 soft wheat flour
200 g cornflour
250 ml lukewarm water
20 g fresh yeast
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
fresh rosemary (optional)

Preparation

Dissolve the brewer’s yeast in lukewarm water. In a bowl, combine the wheat flour and cornflour, then slowly pour in the water with the yeast and begin to knead.
Add the extra virgin olive oil and salt, continuing to knead the dough until it has a soft, smooth consistency.
Cover the dough with a tea towel and leave it to rise for about an hour in a warm place.
Grease a baking tray with extra virgin olive oil and spread the dough out with your hands, creating a layer that is not too thin.
Drizzle with a little oil and, if desired, add a few sprigs of rosemary.
Bake at 200°C for about 20–25 minutes, until the surface is golden and crisp.

How to enjoy it the traditional way

Revzora is typically eaten as a rustic snack or starter, often accompanied by local cheeses or cured meats. Its most traditional pairing is with testa in cassetta, a cured meat typical of the Campese area that brings out its flavour.

The result is a perfect marriage between the aroma of the focaccia and the savoury flavour of traditional farm produce.

Revzora: the history and identity of Campo Ligure

Revzora is not just a focaccia: it tells the story of Campo Ligure, its farming families, and their ability to transform simple ingredients into a culinary tradition that defines their identity.

As you stroll through the narrow streets of the village, past filigree workshops and the aroma of freshly baked goods, you realise just how integral the local cuisine is to the history of this place. Tasting Revzora, then, means discovering an authentic slice of the real Liguria – the inland region – where traditions continue to thrive amidst culture, nature and time-honoured flavours.

In partnership with: Campo Ligure Town Council