Cipressa: Medieval Village, Art and Cycling Routes

Cipressa is a fortified village located on a hill in the Ligurian hinterland. Amid a medieval townscape, churches, contemporary art and cycling routes, you can discover different facets of this Ligurian destination.

A Village with Medieval Traces

Narrow carruggi, dead ends, vaulted passageways, uphill paths and carved door lintels characterize Cipressa. The village’s forms recall its medieval past and make a walk through the lanes an immediate encounter with its built history.

The churches also take you through different eras. The parish church of Sant'Antonio Abate was first mentioned in 1153. Santa Maria “de Platea” (“della Piazza del Castello”) is considered the oldest church in the village of Cipressa. The Chiesa parrocchiale della Visitazione di Maria Vergine preserves numerous side chapels with precious stucco and fresco decoration. The Chiesa della Visitazione di Maria Santissima was built approximately between 1644 and 1654.

On a hill outside the historic center lies the Fortezza del Gallinaro. It is associated with the former defense against Saracen raids. In Lingueglietta, the Chiesa-fortezza di San Pietro stands on the slope of the hill where the village is located. The Romanesque religious building was converted into a defensive structure; the foundation-wall ruins of the castle of the Lords of Laigueglia can also still be seen there.

Villa Biener: Art and Mediterranean Flora

A few kilometers below Cipressa, near Aregai, lies Villa Biener. The site is a park for contemporary art and a museum of migration cultures. Villa Biener houses a permanent multiethnic collection of contemporary art. The grounds include terraces with olive trees, fruit trees and botanical species from the Mediterranean region and beyond.

For Villa Biener, visiting hours from 15:00 to 19:00 are indicated for the months of May to September, as well as visits by appointment. The art park thus complements Cipressa’s historic churches and defensive heritage with a different cultural focus.

Cycling between the Valley and the Hinterland

The cycle path in the Valle del San Lorenzo is intended for walkers and cyclists. It runs along the former route of the Genova–Ventimiglia railway line and is shielded from car traffic on the Aurelia. The former railway line therefore provides a clearly recognizable setting for a leisurely exploration of the valley.

From Cipressa, a wide unpaved high-altitude trail also leads to the Passo di San Salvatore and is suitable for mountain biking. Those who prefer road cycling will find roads between Cipressa, Pietrabruna, Boscomare and Lingueglietta that can be linked into a loop and allow for relaxed road cycling in the hinterland.

Guidance for Choosing Your Accommodation

The broader landscape context also includes a marine area designated as an SIC, encompassing the municipalities of Imperia, San Lorenzo al Mare, Costarainera and Cipressa. When choosing accommodation in Cipressa, you can therefore weigh whether to focus on local history and art or on cycling loops in the hinterland. A hotel in Cipressa fits this plan for a stay that combines cultural sightseeing with active days.

More Destinations for Travel Planning

More destinations for travel planning: Apricale, Colle San Bartolomeo, Ranzo, Isolalunga, Rezzo, Pigna, Taggia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.