Borgo Sant'agata in Imperia: Olive Groves, Culture and Trails

Olive-covered hills above Imperia

Borgo Sant'agata is located on a hill in Imperia and offers views of the city of Imperia and the sea. Olive groves surround the village, cultivated on characteristic terraces supported by dry-stone walls. This creates a landscape in which the hillside location, stone walls and olive cultivation are directly connected. For an individual trip to Italy, this rural character is a clear focus alongside the cultural themes of the village.

Olive Oil and Taggiasca Olives

The Frantoio di Sant'Agata d'Oneglia produces Riviera Ligure DOP Riviera dei Fiori extra virgin olive oil from Taggiasca olives. It has been owned by the Mela family for generations. The olive oil tradition also includes an ancient “Gumbo” with a stone mill in the historic Borgo Sant'agata.

Church, Art and Nativity Tradition

The parish church of Sant'Agata is located in Borgo Sant'agata in Imperia. The Chiesa di Sant'Agata preserves an altarpiece depicting the Rosary, created by the painter Ansaldi in 1777. Next to the Baroque church of Sant'Agata is an Oratorio with medieval origins. This makes it possible to connect the church interior, art and medieval architectural history in the same view of the village.

For almost 50 years, the Comunità Giovani di Sant'Agata has created a different nativity scene every year at Christmas. For you, this recurring tradition offers another way to experience the village, as the nativity scene is designed differently each year. Together with the altarpiece and the Oratorio, it creates a cultural focus made up of specific religious and artistic references.

Trails between the Coast and Piedmont

The Acquarone–Monte dei Prati trail runs along the ridge separating the Valle Impero from the Caramagna and Prino valleys. At the same time, this trail is part of a network of ancient Vie Marenche. In past centuries, these routes were used for transhumance and trade between the coast of the Province of Imperia and lower Piedmont. If you are interested in landscapes and historical connections, the route therefore leads from today's topography to the former movements between the coast and the hinterland.

One possible variant of the Via della Costa leads from Montegrazie to Sant'Agata and climbs via a narrower road.

Practical Information at the Village Entrance

At the entrance to Borgo Sant'agata, a turn-off leads to a sports field used as a car park. This specific detail complements the information about the landscape, culture and trails with a local point of reference for arrival. Anyone considering Borgo Sant'agata as a possible travel and accommodation base can therefore clearly identify their own priorities: olive oil, churches and the nativity tradition, or historic trails through the landscape.

When choosing a hotel or accommodation for your trip to Italy, you can assess Borgo Sant'agata according to these interests. A culture-focused stay directs attention to the parish church, Chiesa, Oratorio and nativity scene; anyone wishing to combine olive oil and landscape will find points of interest in the Taggiasca olives and terraced hillsides. This allows you to base your accommodation decision on the themes you wish to explore further on site.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to explore more places for your travel planning, you can also visit Vessalico, Villatalla, Costarainera, Cartari, Moltedo, Rezzo, Fanghetto and Soldano.

To the overarching travel overview: Imperia.