Diano Evigno: Churches, Tana di San Martino and Mountain Trails

Churches and Local History

Diano Evigno can be explored through its churches, historical traces and trails into the mountain landscape. In Evigno, San Bernardo Abate preserves a polyptych dating from 1552. A polyptych is a multi-panel altarpiece. San Bernardo Abate was elevated to parish church on 17 May 1586. If you would like to consider sacred art and local history together, both dates point to the 16th century.

The Chiesa di San Martino dates back in its original construction to the 12th or 13th century. It is located uphill above present-day Evigno, to the left of the mule track leading to Monte Torre. The first settlement of Evigno is located in the immediate vicinity. Thus, this building brings together an early date of construction, a clearly described hillside location and a connection to the town’s first settlement.

From Evigno’s Church Square to the Tana di San Martino

The Tana di San Martino has an elongated entrance that opens into Flysch limestone. Until approximately half a century ago, its entrance chamber was used as shelter by charcoal burners. If you include geology and former working environments in your travel planning, you can consider both the rock formation at the entrance and its history of use at the Tana.

The route to the Tana begins at Evigno’s church square. From there, the path follows the road past the Madonna della Neve to the ruins of the Chiesetta di San Bernardo. It then continues for approximately 100 metres in a south-westerly direction to the Tana di San Martino. The starting point is therefore at the church square, not at the Tana itself.

Trails into the Mountain Landscape

For a loop through the landscape, there is the Anello di Diano Evigno. It begins in Diano Evigno, after Monte Quagli follows a trail at mid-slope and then returns to Evigno. The return to the town is therefore part of the route described.

The trail to Pizzo d'Evigno can also begin in Diano Evigno. From Evigno, the route is considered a roughly four-hour hike with around 600 metres of elevation gain and white-and-red trail markings to the summit. If you take time and elevation gain into account when planning, these approximate figures provide an objective framework for the tour.

A Historical Destination in the Surrounding Area

The Castello Dei Clavesana, a castle, is also located in the area around Diano Evigno. The range of visible historical themes therefore extends from churches and an early settlement to a castle in the surrounding area.

Further Places for Travel Planning

Further places for your own orientation are Piani Paorelli, Bajardo, Badalucco, Ciapin, Rocchetta Nervina, Montalto Ligure, Colle San Bartolomeo and Bussana.

For the overarching travel overview: Imperia.