Page 151 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

THE RIVIER A DI PONENTE  149

q Pietra Ligure Environs
Just inland, high up above Pietra
Savona. Road Map B4.
* 9,400. V @ n Piazza Ligure, is the village of Giustenice,
Martin Liberté 31, 019 629 003. from where there are superb
_ Processione di San Nicolò views over the coast. This former
(8 Jul); Confoëgu (24 Dec). Del Carretto stronghold lost its
∑ turismoinliguria.it castle in the 15th century.
The name of this delightful w Loano
beach resort translates as Savona. Road Map B4. * 11,000.
“Ligurian stone” and derives V @ n Corso Europa 19, 019
Piazza Sant’Agostino in Borgio Verezzi from the rocky outcrop to 676 007. _ Carnevalöa, Liguria’s
the northeast of the old town, largest carnival (in summer).
0 Borgio Verezzi where a fortified site stood in ∑ turismoinliguria.it
the Byzantine era. The medieval ∑ cai.loano.com (for up-to-date
Savona. Road Map C4. * 2,200.
V @ n Via Matteotti 158, 019 town grew up around the base information about walks in the
610 412 (seasonal). _ open-air of the castello, a Genoese Loano and Finalese areas).
and classic theatre seasons (summer) stronghold that underwent
∑ festivalverezzi.it alterations in the 16th century, Ever since Roman times, Loano
∑ comuneborgioverezzi.it and again in later centuries. The has been a desirable place to
so-called Borgo Vecchio was live. It has been the property
This town is formed by the planned on a regular layout of, among others, the bishops
two distinct centres of Borgio, with five streets running parallel of Albenga, the Doria family and
on the coast, and Verezzi, on to the coastline. Strolling along the Republic of Genoa. (It was
the slope above. The medieval these streets today, visitors will also the site of Napoleon’s first
heart of Borgio has remained notice how both medieval victory in Italy.) These days
virtually intact: old cobbled houses and 16–17th century Loano is an extremely pleasant
streets alternate with gardens palazzi rub shoulders, an town with an extensive beach.
and orchards, rising up to the unusual architectural combi- The most interesting building
17th-century parish church of nation that resulted from a is the 16th-century Palazzo
San Pietro. Near the cemetery programme of partial recon- Comunale, built for the Doria
is the pretty medieval church struction in the 16th century. family. Its austere appearance
of Santo Stefano, with a bell The 10th-century Oratorio is softened by balconies and
tower built of decorative brick. dei Bianchi stands in Piazza loggias, while a gallery links
A winding scenic road leads Vecchia (also known as Piazza it to a watch tower (1602) that
up to Verezzi. Of the four groups del Mercato). In the bell tower features a beautiful Roman
of houses that make up the is the “holy bronze” – according mosaic pavement.
village, all on different levels, the to local legend, the bell rang in In 1603, the Doria family
best preserved is Piazza, which 1525 to announce the end of founded the Convento di Monte
still displays some Saracen the plague. In Piazza XX Settembre, Carmelo, in a lovely spot in the
influence. At the centre stands not far from the sea, stands the hills above Loano. The complex
the church of Sant’Agostino 18th-century church of San includes a church full of Doria
(1626). There is a view over the Nicolò di Bari, its façade flanked tombs and the Casotto, a
sea from one side of the pretty by two bell towers. favourite Doria residence.
church square.
Environs
Inside the limestone caves
of the nearby Grotte di
Valdemino are magical
undergrounds lakes and
stalactites so slim that they
vibrate at the sound of a voice.
Fossils of saber-tooth tigers,
cave bears and elephants
have been discovered here.
} Grotte di Valdemino
Via Battorezza. Tel 019 610 150. 8
Jun–Sep: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am,
3:20pm, 4:20pm, 5:20pm; Oct–May:
9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 3pm, 4pm,
5pm. Closed 25 Dec, 1 Jan.
& with permission.
The medieval castle dominating Pietra Ligure

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