Discover Caravonica: Churches, Ruins and Regional Cuisine

Caravonica is a place for travelers who want to combine historic buildings, a distinctive hillside setting, walking routes and regional cuisine. Between the rising slopes and Colle San Bartolomeo, sacred art, ruins and agricultural traditions come together within a compact thematic area.

Churches and Historic Traces

The present-day parish church of San Pietro e San Michele was rebuilt in the 18th century on the site of an older building. Near the cemetery, the ancient church of San Michele, dating from the 11th century, survives as a ruin. In the upper part of Caravonica, the Counts of Ventimiglia had a castle built; only a few ruins remain.

The Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Vigne is located near Caravonica on a scenic hilltop along the historic route toward Colle San Bartolomeo and Valle Arroscia. Its construction dates back to the end of the 16th century. Inside, you can see stucco work by Francesco Maria Marvaldi and frescoes by Francesco Carrega. The Oratorio dell’Annunziata was founded in the late Middle Ages; its form is connected with a rebuilding that probably took place in the 17th century. Caravonica’s architectural character also includes numerous portals made of hewn stone, elements above doorways and other smaller details of the town’s built environment.

Hillside Setting and Hiking Trail

Caravonica lies on the slopes rising toward Colle San Bartolomeo. The 3,955-meter-long Caravonica–S. Lazzaro–Lucinasco hiking trail is connected with the town. This gives the surrounding area a specific reason to explore the town not only through its buildings, but also through its landscape and a particular route.

Buridda, Olives and Wine

Buridda is regarded as the dish that most characterizes Caravonica in the Valle Impero. Olive cultivation is part of the town’s agricultural economy. Dolcetto, Ormeasco and Vermentino are produced in numerous vineyards around Caravonica. At the Sagra della Buridda, food stalls offered a typical stockfish dish, grilled meat and fried foods.

The celebration of Saint Michael includes a procession with a statue created by a Genoese sculptor who lived in the 19th century. It depicts Saint Michael fighting the devil, represented as a dragon. This religious custom complements the town’s stone monuments with a living local tradition.

Practical Planning

For the Valle Impero call service, reservations must be made by 12:00 noon on the previous working day; on Sundays, no reservation is provided for the following service day. On public holidays, the service operates from 07:00 to 19:00, except on Christmas Day and May 1.

This makes it possible to combine Caravonica as a destination with a range of different interests.

More places for planning your trip: Prela Castello, Ville San Pietro, Olivetta San Michele, Glori, Montegrazie, Poggialto, Serreta and Vasia.

To the overview of the wider area: Imperia.