Cinque Terre & Beyond

The “orange flag” award of the Touring Club certifies excellence in the offer and the quality of the small inland towns. In the area of La Spezia 4 villages deserved it.

Featuring sustainable tourism and quality high level services: the Italian Orange Flag of the Touring Club is assigned to the small Italian inland centers that can offer all of this. In the province of La Spezia 4 villages can boast this important recognition (three of which are in Val di Vara).

Varese Ligure: a jewel with Borgorotondo and the bio heart

Considered the “capital” of the organic District , Varese Ligure is definitely worth a visit even if the culinary tourism is not for you. The symbol of the place is definitely the Round Hamlet in its heart , the quaint village is built at the behest of the Fieschi family in the fifteenth century and enclosed within the circular walls. There is also the Grecino district, which extends beyond the scenic bridge built in 1516 above the Crovana ridge.

Brugnato, in the history of the Val di Vara

Brugnato holds with pride the history of the Val di Vara and for the proper preservation of the preciousness of its historical center is the orange flag has earned. A walk in its streets will let you discover numerous mansions with beautiful facades. The heart of the village is St. Peter’s Square, with the church that dates from – in its original form – even the eleventh century.

Pignone, gateway to the Cinque Terre, given by the Romans

Pignone was born – even before the Romans – in the neighborhood of the river as a trade settlement. The nowadays village keeps much of the medieval organization and is gathered around the beautiful Piazza Marconi with its lodge dating the fourteenth century. You can visit Pignone following the itinerary proposed by signs with explanations on the history and the curiosities of the village. Do not miss a visit in the village at the beginning of September during the trade show of the Orti – cultivated gardens- , in which the town shows off its many local products (potatoes, sausages, etc etc).

Castelnuovo Magra: high on the Val di Magra, home of Dante Alighieri

The greatest of Italian poets, Dante Alighieri , knew Castelnuovo very well. In fact he lived in the bishop’s castle-building, and here – as a prosecutor of the Marquis Malaspina – signed peace with the local bishop Antonio da Camilla. And to Dante is dedicated the central street of the village, surrounded by buildings with splendid portals. Surrounded by the walls of the palace of the bishops of Luni-Counts, the historical center enriched by the two towers, the palace Amati-Ingolotti-Cornelius with its frescoed rooms, its rooftop gardens and the ancient seat of the Enoteca Regionale della Liguria and Lunigiana cellars.

The cover photo is by James L. Bastiani

Spezzino Vero

By Spezzino Vero  
Spezzino Vero è la più grossa community online della provincia spezzina. Curiosità, notizie, approfondimenti e umorismo che vivono quotidianamente seguendo, minuto per minuti, la vita del territorio. Spezzino Vero is the largest online community of La Spezia. Trivia, news, stories and humor, the best source to get to know the area at its best.

---

---