Originally, bagnun was cooked by the crews of typical fishing boats called "leudi". Over time, it has kept its original simplicity: it is prepared, even today, with fresh anchovies, brown onions, peeled tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and dry bread.[1][2]
Since the 1950s, Riva Trigoso, a village near the town of Sestri Levante, has held an annual Sagra del Bagnun, a festival celebrating the dish, in the last weekend of July.