Seven Ideas for Easter in Liguria
Here are seven ideas for Easter Monday in Liguria: from the classic outing to the discovery of villages and hamlets inland, to historical and culinary itineraries.
Easter Monday in Realdo, the ‘halved village’
Everyone knows “The Cloven Viscount,” born from the imagination of a great Ligurian writer, Italo Calvino. But few know that in Liguria, in the far west, not far from Triora, there is also a halved village: Realdo. Like Medardo, Realdo too was divided by war. It was part of a large municipality, that of Briga Marittima. At the end of the Second World War, with the signing of the Peace Treaty of 1947, Briga Marittima was divided into three centers. The area of the Upper Roja Valley went to France, becoming the municipality of La Brigue, to Piedmont went the Municipality of Briga Alta, while the hamlet of Realdo in the Upper Argentina Valley was given to the municipality of Triora. The partition was a painful series of farewells and separations, but despite this, the Brigasca civilization, which has inhabited the area for millennia, remained compact and rich in traditions. In that area of a few square kilometres, three languages are spoken: Italian, French, and Brigasco, a linguistic minority recognised by the European community. Due to its spectacular position perched on a rock, Realdo is called “‘r ni d’aigura,” the eagle’s nest.
Verezzi, between pirates and prehistoric caves
You can fall in love at first sight with Verezzi: once you’ve passed the winding roads that take you away from the sea and the liveliness of Borgio’s centre, you’ll enter a silent village, where no cars pass through the stone-paved streets. It is said that Saracen pirates were the first to fall in love with this landscape and abandoned their activities to retire and live here. This explains the Saracen origin of one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, certainly in Liguria. The houses are distinguished mainly by their terrace roofs, with a medieval urban structure but with clear Arab influence. Many restaurants, from the simplest to the most elegant, can be found on the terraces overlooking the gulf, where you can taste the flavours of local cuisine. A typical dish is “lumache alla verezzina,” prepared with a long procedure that enhances their taste. A typical local product is capers. In Piazza S. Agostino, a balcony overlooking the sea, since 1967 an event of great appeal for all of Liguria and beyond has taken place: the Borgio Verezzi Theatre Festival. The village seems literally carved into the rock with its narrow alleys and old mule tracks that led carts to the sea from the surrounding valleys. Worth a visit are the Borgio Verezzi Caves, among the most colourful in Europe, an exciting and interesting guided tour among stalactites, stalagmites, and small lakes.
Asinolla Park
Easter holidays amidst nature, relaxation, fun, and many activities with animal friends at the Asinolla Park in Pietra Ligure. From trekking with donkeys to picnics in the meadows, the nature park on the hills is ready to welcome both adults and children with Susanna, Giorgina, Patù, Wafer, and other resident donkeys.
More info*:https://www.asinolla.it/
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A tour of Medieval Genoa
During the central years of the Middle Ages, between the 10th and 15th centuries, Genoa became one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean. An exceptional story: crusaders, merchants, ambassadors, artisans, and doges, this is how the myth of the Superb was born. While historical sources are mainly preserved at the Genoese State Archives, exploring Genoa can help you discover the remnants of the medieval city. And there are indeed many!
Medieval Genoa
The Focaccette of Megli
In Megli, a hamlet of Recco, nestled among olive groves, you’ll find the Focaccette Festival on Easter Monday. Throughout the day, around fifty volunteers from the parish prepare and package over three thousand focaccette on-site. This requires approximately 400 kilograms of flour and 200 kilograms of stracchino cheese. Then, the delicacies are cooked in a large pan about two meters in diameter, in front of the festive crowd. The pan contains around 150 liters of oil for each frying session. The preparation, packaging, frying, and distribution of the focaccette take place both at the pan distribution point and at a nearby football field. The volunteer team is a close-knit and highly active group of about 80 people who manage to satisfy an increasing number of tourists every year, who come to the Megli hill for this occasion, which also offers excellent views of the gulf.
From Riva Trigoso to Moneglia
A trekking adventure exploring the territory between Riva Trigoso and Moneglia offers a landscape rich in inspiration and breathtaking views: from shipyards to Punta Baffe tower and dramatic coastal scenery. It’s a very scenic route, not overly crowded, and open to everyone. Upon arrival in Moneglia, the perfect reward awaits: in the village on April 1st, the traditional olive oil show-market takes place, where you can taste specialties made with extra virgin olive oil, visit olive mills, and learn all about olive oil culture.
Easter and Easter Monday Trekking in the Cinque Terre
Few places like the Cinque Terre, the easternmost tip of Liguria, offer the opportunity for outdoor activities. Easter is perhaps the most beautiful time to enjoy the views, colours, and flavours of these places, which are suitable for all possibilities and needs. For those who want sacred itineraries that combine trekking with religious faith, the route from Portovenere to the Via dei Santuari delle Cinque Terre follows the paths of the main sanctuaries in the area: from La Spezia, where in the ancient Oratorio di S. Bernardino, the Diocesan Museum traces the history of Christianity, to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Olmo in Fabiano Alto, the splendid church of San Pietro in Portovenere, and the Madonna Bianca of San Lorenzo and Our Lady of Montenero in Riomaggiore, perched over 300 metres above the coast, overlooking the sea. These and others in this special itinerary, without forgetting to plan a stop in Monterosso to taste the famous anchovies or in Vernazza for a glass of Sciacchetrà or local white wine.
