Discover Bajardo: Culture, Mountain Views and Trails

Bajardo amid mountains and history

Bajardo lies on the high ground of the upper Torrente Nervia catchment area, in a panoramic position surrounded by the Ligurian Alps and the Maritime Alps. At an altitude of 910 m, the village overlooks the Riviera dei Fiori. Olive groves also shape the landscape: they reach up to 750 m and give this mountain setting a distinctive agricultural dimension.

From the Chiesa Vecchia to the Rocca di Bajardo

At the highest point of medieval Bajardo stand the ruins of the Chiesa Vecchia. The historic centre has existed since the 1st millennium BC and was an important place of worship for the Druids; some stone obelisks still stand there. In the 3rd century BC, the Romans transformed the original Druidic place of worship in Bajardo into a fortress that is still partially visible.

The remains of a medieval castle, columns from a Roman temple and a Celtic stele can be found on the Rocca di Bajardo. The Ponte di Bunda bears witness to the historic exchange along numerous routes between Bajardo, the coastal villages and settlements beyond the Alpine region. Those interested in the history of the village can therefore encounter different periods here in tangible historical settings.

Art, sacred art and local memory

The Pinacoteca civica in Bajardo preserves works by the illustrator and comic artist Antonio Rubino, as well as by other 20th-century authors. In Piazza De Sonnaz, the Oratorio di S. Salvatore preserves the polyptych “Trasfigurazione”, which Emanuele Macario created with assistants in 1552. Together, the two places complement the archaeological and medieval traces with an artistic and religious perspective.

Olive oil and the old oil mill

The old a sangue oil mill in Bajardo operated its presses exclusively through human power working together with animals. The olive groves reach up to 750 m and produce the province’s only mountain extra virgin olive oil. This makes it clear how closely the landscape, traditional labour and the local olive-growing culture are interconnected.

Hiking among maquis, forests and mountain views

Bajardo offers 12 trails of varying lengths and difficulty; the GPX signal can be used to determine your own position. The network of trails around Bajardo extends for approximately 80 km. The different trail lengths and difficulty levels help you compare the options for planning your own day without treating all routes in the same way.

Bajardo lies along the Sentiero Balcone mediterraneo and is the starting point for numerous hikes. The Anello di Piécastello descends through Mediterranean maquis and offers views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. In the area around Bajardo, a road also leads north from Passo Ghimbegna through dense forest to Monte Ceppo.

Ra Barca and cultural walks

Ra Barca is celebrated in Bajardo on Whit Sunday. A pine tree is erected in the town centre, accompanied by folk songs and dances. The tradition dates back to a love story from the 1200s. On summer Sundays, cultural walks focusing on local stories, traditions and anecdotes were also offered in Bajardo.

Other places for planning your trip

Other places you may wish to consider when planning your trip: Pairola, Pietrabruna, Diano Arentino, Cartari, Santo Stefano Al Mare, Olivetta San Michele, Carpasio, Isolalunga.

For the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.