Uscio: Village of Clocks and Historic Hiking Trails

Uscio is a destination for you if you want to meaningfully combine historic places and paths through a wooded landscape. The Museo diffuso dell’Orologio da Torre, several sacred buildings and the Via del Sale – Via del Mare offer different ways to explore the area: you can learn about clocks and church history, follow historic paths or set off on foot towards Fontanabuona and Monte Tuggio.

Clocks, Churches and Local History

Thanks to the “Roberto Trebino” company and its tower clock museum, Uscio is still known as the “Village of Clocks”. The Museo diffuso dell'Orologio da Torre comprises five old clocks distributed throughout the municipality of Uscio. One of these clocks stands next to the Madonnetta along the route of the Via del Sale, on Via Costa Chiesa. Those exploring the town will therefore encounter the theme of clocks at several points throughout the municipality.

The Pieve di Sant'Ambrogio dates far back: it was founded between the 6th and 7th centuries. The present building is a Romanesque redesign from the 11th century. The history of preservation and change is particularly illustrative: in 1893, the old parish church was due to be demolished following the decision to build a new parish church. Direct intervention by the Regional Office for the Preservation of Monuments, under the direction of architect Alfredo d'Andrade, prevented the demolition.

Another historic landmark is the Chiesa di San Rocco e Sacro Cuore di Gesù. It was built as early as 1400 as a small chapel dedicated to Saint Roch and was later expanded after the hamlet was freed from the plague in 1467. Inside is a painting of Saint Sebastian by Luca Cambiaso. No architectural barriers are provided for the church; access is at ground level.

Hiking between Historic Trails and Chestnut Groves

The Via del Sale – Via del Mare combines hiking and history. It is divided into four stages and follows historic routes that were used to transport salt. As a network of hiking trails, it leads from the Po Valley to the Portofino peninsula and passes through the Antola and Portofino parks. The 90-kilometre route crosses the provinces of Pavia, Alessandria, Piacenza and Genoa.

The landscape around Uscio can also be explored on foot. From the ridge of Uscio, hiking trails lead through chestnut groves down towards Fontanabuona. The climb from Uscio to Monte Tuggio takes about an hour on foot. The Castellaro archaeological site preserves traces of Neolithic settlements.

The Hiking della Pietra Nera is also a non-competitive hiking event whose route follows hiking trails in Uscio and Lumarzo.

More Destinations

For further travel planning: Rossiglione, Camogli, Bargagli, Cogoleto, Fascia, Tiglieto, Bracco and Campo Ligure.

For the main travel overview: Genoa.