Discover Pontedassio: History, Culture and Local Cuisine

Culture between the village center, ruins and sacred art

Pontedassio can be explored through specific places. In Villa Guardia, you will find the Cenacolo ligneo di San Matteo, a rare three-dimensional replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. The Chiesa di San Matteo also houses a wooden Cenacolo. It is still used today during Holy Week celebrations. In this way, an extraordinary representation from art history meets a religious use that continues into the present day.

Bestagno and traces of medieval history

The Castello medievale di Bestagno survives as a ruin. Its wall structures date from different periods between the 12th and 14th centuries and bear traces of the destruction caused by the Spanish in 1611. The Castello formed part of the defensive system of the Valle Impero and is considered an example of medieval military architecture. For visitors who wish to read historical connections in buildings, this site offers several layers from different periods.

The Castello also includes the Museo etnografico del castello di Bestagno. It is located in three rooms in the heart of Bestagno’s main Carruggio, opened in September 2001, and includes two former communal bakeries as well as a wine cellar. The museum also displays tools that local farmers formerly used to cultivate olives and grapevines. The Italian term Carruggio refers to a narrow historic alley or row of houses.

Village center, stream and historic fortification

The Chiesa di Santa Margherita stands east of Pontedassio’s medieval village center. It is located next to the oldest rows of houses in the historic center, beside the Torrente Impero. Another notable fortification is the Torre Santa Lucia on the main road to Pontedassio. The structure dates from the 13th century and has a square floor plan.

Forest, olive groves and the Sentiero dei Santuari

The landscape is also connected with the historical themes. On the section from the Valle Impero, the Sentiero dei Santuari leads through forests and olive groves toward the Santuario della Madonna della Neve in Villa Guardia di Pontedassio. Its specific route thus connects the natural scenery of the Valle Impero with a sacred destination and complements visits to churches, towers and castle ruins with a landscape perspective.

Culinary traditions with recipes handed down through generations

In Pontedassio and its districts, the tradition of the Cena Domini was once observed. The meal consisted of salt cod preserved in olive oil and handmade lasagnette. In addition, each participant received a round loaf flavored with fennel and marked with a cross. The Biscotti characteristic of Pontedassio are large slices of rusks made according to a recipe from the late 19th century. The yeast dough is partially cut, baked initially, and then baked again and turned into rusks.

Another culinary point of interest is the Museo storico degli spaghetti. It was founded in Pontedassio in 1958.

More destinations

For further travel planning, you can also explore Bellissimi, Ceriana, Pieve Di Teco, Olivetta San Michele, Ventimiglia, Bordighera, Vallecrosia and Ville San Pietro.

For the overarching travel overview: Imperia.