Berzi near Bajardo: Sanctuary, Stations of the Cross and Trekking Route

Berzi is a hamlet of Bajardo in the Province of Imperia. Its defining destination is the Santuario di Nostra Signora Assunta, a Catholic church building whose construction history is connected with the paths through the landscape.

Church and Construction History

According to local tradition, the original Sanctuary was built in the 15th century at the behest of the Doria family. The entire complex was completely redeveloped during the Baroque period. This makes it possible to trace the history of the building through several clearly identifiable layers: an older origin, Baroque redesign and an artistic addition from 1819. The Baroque renovation concerns the entire complex, while the 1819 fresco specifically forms part of the decoration of the vault.

In 1819, Maurizio Carrega painted a fresco of the Gloria della Vergine Maria in the vault of the Sanctuary. The Italian title refers to the Glory of the Virgin Mary and points to the central subject of the vault's imagery.

Paths between Bajardo and Berzi

The Anello Bajardo–Berzi is an easy, 7-kilometre trekking route with 340 metres of ascent and 340 metres of descent. The fixed figures for distance and elevation gain and loss make it easier for you to assess whether this route suits a relaxed or more activity-focused day plan.

An ancient mule track leads from the Church of San Rocco at the entrance to Bajardo to the Baroque Santuario di N.S. Assunta di Berzi. Along the way from Bajardo to the Sanctuary, there are also the chapels of the Stations of the Cross. For travellers who would like to experience religious sites while walking, this route combines physical activity with specific stops.

Valley, Riverbank and Wildlife

The Anello Bajardo–Berzi offers views of the valley below. On the return journey, the Apricale–Osaggio–Croce di Morga–Berzi route runs along the left bank of the Rio Merdanzo. Thus, in addition to the Sanctuary, the valley and riverbank form part of the varied landscapes around Berzi.

Badgers, foxes and wild boar inhabit the forest path leading to Berzi.

Stations of the Cross and Pilgrimage

The Santuario di Berzi had already become a destination for pilgrimages. The chapels of the Stations of the Cross are considered old structures and small memorials. They represent the testimony of faith that the farmers of Bajardo encountered every day on their way to the fields they cultivated. The farmers' testimony of faith related to their daily route to the cultivated fields and therefore to the landscape around Bajardo outside the church building.

Those interested in architecture, religious traditions and clearly defined hiking experiences can discover Berzi according to different interests. The easy trekking route offers a different approach from the path with Stations of the Cross chapels; the fresco, church complex, forest and valley complement one another to create a varied local landscape.

For further orientation, you can also explore Cesio, San Bartolomeo Di Caravonica, Prela, Riva Ligure, Dolcedo, Ospedaletti, Pornassio and Bellissimi.

For the overarching travel overview: Imperia.