Diano Arentino: History, Olive Groves and Trails on Pizzo d’Evigno

Diano Arentino brings together several historical and landscape features within a small area. Between the hamlet of Bonifacio, the churches of Arentino and Evigno, the olive groves of Evigno and the ridge towards Pizzo d’Evigno, a clear picture of the area emerges. These different features are not located at a single site, but are spread across Bonifacio, Arentino and Evigno.

Oratorio and traces of ecclesiastical history

In the hamlet of Bonifacio in Arentino, the Oratorio di San Sebastiano stands on the municipal road leading from the provincial road. The oratory contains a canvas painting from the mid-17th century. At the centre of the painting, Saint Sebastian is depicted between Saint Roch and Saint Jerome; above them, the Madonna and Child appear between Saint Clare and Saint Lucy. The painting was therefore created after the two churches were elevated to parish churches in 1586 and before the establishment of the joint parish in 1986.

The Parrocchia dei Santi Margherita e Bernardo in Diano Arentino–Evigno unites two parishes. It was established by a decree of the diocesan bishop of Albenga–Imperia, Msgr. Alessandro Piazza, on 30 June 1986. Its two historical points of reference are located in Arentino and Evigno: the Church of Santa Margherita V.M. in Arentino was elevated to a parish church on 17 May 1586, as was the Church of San Bernardo Abate in Evigno.

A Place with Medieval Roots

Diano Arentino has its origins in the early Middle Ages. Its subsequent history includes joining the Communitas Diani, a free community whose statutes governed the lives of the inhabitants of all the villages in the Diano Valley. Joining the Communitas Diani connected Diano Arentino with the entire Diano Valley.

Olive Groves and the Ridge Circular Trail

The landscape of Evigno is also part of Diano Arentino’s characteristic scenery. In the hills of Evigno, stone terraces on the steep slopes support olive cultivation. This construction method makes visible how closely olive growing and the sloping landscape are connected. Above Diano Arentino, the Anello Belvedere Pizzo d’Evigno circular trail follows the ridge towards Pizzo d’Evigno. The landscape changes from steep slopes to the ridge, while agriculture and the route follow different landforms.

Olive Oil and a Palace in the Surrounding Area

A tangible connection to olive cultivation can be found at Frantoio Sciandino. The business at Via San Benedetto 1 in the Evigno district of Diano Arentino offers direct sales of extra virgin olive oil. Villa Grock, a palace, is also located in the surrounding area of Diano Arentino. Both topics broaden the perspective beyond the churches: Evigno represents the cultivation of olive trees and their oil, while Villa Grock provides an additional architectural point of reference in the area around the town.

More Destinations

Berzi, Cosio Di Arroscia, Soldano, Pigna, Villatalla, Tavole, Pairola, Imperia

For the overarching travel overview: Imperia.