Mele: Paper History, Acquasanta and Countryside Trails

Mele can be explored through several themes: paper history, sacred art, thermal traditions, local cuisine and countryside trails. This creates a destination where cultural interests and active pursuits can be clearly distinguished for your personal planning.

Paper History and Sacred Heritage

At the Museo Carta Mele, paper history takes center stage. It is located in the former Piccardo paper mill, which was built in 1756 and closed in 1985. Visitors can follow the former process there: plant fibers and waste paper were processed into new paper.

An important religious trail leads to Acquasanta: the first reliable documentary mention of the Santuario N.S. dell’Acquasanta dates from 1465. The Cappelletta near Acquasanta stands by a sulfur-water spring and houses an old wooden statue of the Virgin Mary. In Acquasanta, the Festa N.S. Signora dell’Acquasanta takes place on the last Sunday in July; it includes a torchlit procession.

The Oratorio di Sant’Antonio Abate houses a cycle of paintings by Carlo Giuseppe Ratti depicting scenes from the life of Saint Anthony the Abbot, created between 1777 and 1782. It also contains a processional chest of Saint Anthony the Abbot by Anton Maria Maragliano from the 18th century. In the area around Mele, the Terme di Acquasanta thermal complex was built between 1830 and 1832 to use sulfurous water for treatments. Local cuisine includes the Sagra du fugassin, a traditional festival centered on Mele’s typical potato focaccini.

Getting There and Orientation

The route to the Museo della Carta di Mele is specifically described from Genoa: take the train to Genova Acquasanta. From there, it is a ten-minute walk, or you can take AMT bus line 101 to the Acquasanta Santuario stop.

Landscape, Mountain Running and Trails

The landscape also offers a distinct subject for observation: the Mele area is a migration route for birds, including the short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus). For sport-oriented days, Vertikal Punta Martin is a mountain race in the Vertical Kilometer format; the start is in Acquasanta at 165 m above sea level, a hamlet of the municipality of Mele. On the Sentiero Frassati, one of the two routes is reserved for experienced hikers because of mountaineering difficulties on the narrow rock ledges of the northern ridge of Costolone Baiardetta.

The complete “Andar per Cartiere” route includes a possible path that leads from Mele along the Gorsexio stream to the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. Starting from “Fondocrosa”, the southernmost hamlet of the municipality of Mele, “Andar per Cartiere” leads to the “Ferriera”, with a group of eight old paper mills. Along the way, visitors reach the village of Gorsexio and can see the waterwheel of an old mill there.

When choosing a hotel in Mele, first determine the focus of your stay: the paper mill and Oratorio represent culture, Acquasanta represents religious and thermal history, while the Vertical Kilometer, Sentiero Frassati and “Andar per Cartiere” place different demands on your daily planning. This keeps your accommodation choice aligned with your specific plans.

Other Destinations

For further trip planning, you can also include Bricco, Isola del Cantone, Castiglione Chiavarese, Nascio, Valbrevenna, Rossiglione, Leivi and Sella.

For the higher-level travel overview: Genoa.