Rossiglione between Church Art and Val Gargassa

Rossiglione can be explored through two clearly distinct aspects: its areas featuring church art and architectural history, and the rocky Val Gargassa with its paths, gorges and geological formations. Those wishing to combine church art and landscape on the same trip will find churches in Rossiglione and trails in Val Gargassa. Rossiglione Inferiore and Rossiglione Superiore feature different types of development, while the Val Gargassa circular trail and the Sentiero Natura lead into the landscape.

Church Art in Rossiglione

In Rossiglione Inferiore, the Oratorio di N.S. Assunta preserves fresco cycles by Andrea Semino on its façade, dating from 1586. The scenes depict stories of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Rossiglione is also home to the Chiesa Parrocchiale di Nostra Signora Assunta, which was solemnly consecrated in 1609. Its furnishings include a wooden group depicting the Assumption of Mary, dated to around the 17th century. Both churches combine sacred art with clearly documented historical dates.

The built environment of the two districts also differs. Rossiglione Inferiore is characterised by elongated buildings that were formerly used as spinning mills and ironworks. Rossiglione Superiore features tall houses arranged along narrow lanes and porticoes with low vaults. In Rossiglione Superiore, the parish church of Santa Caterina was rebuilt over an earlier 15th-century church. It contains Bernardo Castello's painting The Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In Rossiglione, industrial history, narrow lanes and church artworks thus stand side by side.

Val Gargassa: Rocks, Watercourse and Geology

Val Gargassa is a rocky area characterised by cliffs and of considerable aesthetic and naturalistic value. The Val Gargassa circular trail begins at Rossiglione's sports ground, follows the course of the Rio Gargassa and is intended for hikers of intermediate ability. Along the route, the landscape features impressive rock sculptures, gorges and canyons; conglomerate towers and small lakes can also be seen. The trail also leads to the settlement of Vereira, where former pre-industrial activities are evidenced by the area's former glassmaking industry.

The Sentiero Natura in Val Gargassa begins at Rossiglione's sports ground on the SP GE1 towards Tiglieto, at kilometre 2 in the hamlet of Gargassino. Numerous conglomerate outcrops and the stratification typical of sedimentary rocks can be seen there.

Everyday Culture and Regional Specialities

At the Museo Passatempo, working motorcycles, bicycles and contemporary objects illustrate aspects of 20th-century Italian material culture. These include tributes to Guzzi and Piaggio's Vespa. The Museo Passatempo also includes Da Netin du spaccio, a reconstruction of a 1940s shop. Antico Forno di Paola e Laura adds a culinary highlight: alongside various types of bread, the bakery offers the focaccia lunga typical of the area, as well as breadsticks and Lagaccio biscuits.

Other places: Chiàvari, Bogliasco, Torrazza, Arenzano, San Colombano, Camogli, Bricco and Bracco.

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