Casella: Churches, Squares and Paths in the Ligurian Apennines

Casella between the Apennines and the Scrivia Plain

Casella lies in the Ligurian Apennines on the broad plain formed by the Scrivia River. Its local history brings landscape and architecture together: squares, churches, historic buildings and paths into the Val Brevenna shape the themes through which the town can be discovered. This makes it a destination that brings cultural and hiking interests together within a compact thematic area.

Carpeneta is a typical rural village in Casella. It includes a small square and a chapel dedicated to the Madonna della Guardia. The contrast between this village character and the landscaped squares in the town centre gives Casella different architectural accents.

Churches, Squares and Historic Traces

The foundation stone of the Oratorio di S. Antonio Abate was laid on 11 May 1556. The Chiesa di S. Stefano was built between 1718 and 1722 based on a design by Simone Scaniglia; its floor plan is elliptical.

Piazza XXV Aprile stands out for the consistent architectural style of the buildings surrounding it. The buildings around Piazza XXV Aprile were referred to as “Case del mercato” in a building document from 1691.

Palazzo Fieschi features a tower with a frieze that is now illegible, the remains of two sundials, coats of arms on the façade and an open square courtyard. The sacristy of the Chiesa di S. Stefano also contains a depiction of the Nativity attributed to the school of Domenico Fiasella.

The Palazzetto historically served as a compulsory exit route from Casella for controlling the area and collecting duties. The town’s history thus extends from sacred architecture to early administration and trade.

Paths and Landscape Experiences

The Via dei Feudi Imperiali can be walked from the square in Casella to Montemaggio in approximately one hour. Paths starting in Casella also connect to numerous routes in the Val Brevenna, leading as far as Monte Antola, which rises to 1,597 metres. For your planning, this means that an approximately one-hour route to Montemaggio and routes oriented towards Monte Antola are available side by side.

Station, Sports and Green Spaces

Casella railway station is located at the foot of the built-up area. Directly next to the station, the sports complex includes swimming pools, the Palasport, a football pitch and public gardens.

Casella’s green space complements this area with a running track, a grass football pitch, an equipped leisure area, a children’s park and a dog area. At the station, the Museo Diffuso 24 km has an interactive touch table.

Local Traditions and Events

Focacce di S. Antonio are sold in Casella on 17 January and the following Sunday. Historically, all the meat consumed in the feudal territory of Savignone was slaughtered at the Casa del Macello; Casella was also part of this territory.

StraCasella is a recurring, non-competitive 10 km running event in Casella. Together with churches, squares and paths, it provides another concrete reason to view the town from both cultural and active perspectives.

Further destinations for orientation: Roverazza, Favale Di Malvaro, Sant'olcese, Sestri Ponente, Arenzano, Casarza Ligure, Torrazza, Fascia.

For the broader travel overview: Genoa.