Cesio among olive groves, churches and the historic route

Cesio: Ridges, rocky spur, olive groves and the Valle Impero

Cesio is a village on a ridge, situated on a rocky spur in a commanding position. At the same time, the village is regarded as a panoramic balcony overlooking the Valle Impero. Olive groves are scattered among oak and chestnut forests. The landscape of the Ligurian hinterland therefore brings olive groves and wooded areas directly together.

Arzeno d’Oneglia: Churches, bell towers and Palazzo de Tomatis

In the hamlet of Arzeno d’Oneglia, which belongs to Cesio, the Chiesa di San Benedetto has a square bell tower made of flat layers of stone. In its lower section, it is crossed by a portico. The parish church Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Bartolomeo d’Arzeno was redesigned in Baroque forms and has a distinctive onion-shaped bell tower.

The Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Lucia contains several paintings that probably date from the 16th or 17th century. Also located in Arzeno d’Oneglia is the historic and imposing Palazzo de Tomatis, which belonged to an old and distinguished local family. The two churches stand in the same hamlet belonging to Cesio, but their bell towers have different shapes: the bell tower of San Benedetto is square, while that of San Bartolomeo is onion-shaped.

Ravioli, wild herbs, rabbit and Ormeasco

The cuisine of the Ligurian hinterland in Cesio includes ravioli and a tart made with wild herbs. The tart is prepared primarily with vegetables and extra virgin olive oil. A traditional rabbit dish from Cesio is prepared with black olives, local aromatic herbs and Ormeasco wine.

Ormeasco has been the predominant traditional grape variety in Cesio for centuries. Traditional regional foods in and around Cesio and in the Valle Impero include cow’s-milk Toma and Pecorino.

“U Pasto” and Holy Thursday in Cesio

“U Pasto” is a tradition in Cesio organized every year during Holy Week, on Holy Thursday, by the local Confraternity of San Giovanni Battista. A stay around “U Pasto” therefore falls during Holy Week and on Holy Thursday.

Via del Sale, tunnels and historical orientation

The historic Via del Sale passed through Cesio on the route from Oneglia to Piedmont via the Colle San Bartolomeo. The historic route and the abandoned course of the Strada Statale 28 belong to different phases in Cesio’s transport history.

The tunnels below Cesio provide a faster connection between the valleys of Oneglia and the Valle Arroscia, as well as Piedmont. One connection led via the Colle San Bartolomeo, while the other runs through tunnels below Cesio.

To the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.