Vessalico: Garlic, Churches and Trails along the Arroscia

Vessalico brings together regional cuisine, architectural history and trails through the landscape of the upper Arroscia Valley.

Garlic as a culinary reference point

Aglio di Vessalico is harvested in May, then naturally dried and braided by hand; sales begin in June. It is grown in the eleven municipalities of the upper Arroscia Valley. The garlic is white and forms medium-sized to large, regularly shaped and compact bulbs with approximately six to eight cloves. In 2000, Aglio di Vessalico was recognized as a Slow Food Presidio.

In Vessalico and the Arroscia Valley, garlic soup and Aiè, a garlic sauce, are well-known dishes. Cultivation in eleven municipalities and the dishes garlic soup and Aiè connect regional production with the cuisine of Vessalico and the Arroscia Valley.

The Fiera dell’Aglio di Vessalico

The Fiera dell’Aglio traditionally takes place on July 2 and can be traced back to the mid-18th century in Parco Canavai. On this date, the event brings together producers who display and sell braided garlic strands. On July 2, the Fiera combines this culinary focus with the display and sale of the braided garlic in Parco Canavai.

The program of the 2026 Fiera dell’Aglio di Vessalico included a show cooking event entitled “L’Aglio nero di Vessalico incontra il tartufo delle nostre Valli”. The 2026 edition announced tastings of typical local specialties as part of lunch and dinner.

Churches and historic houses

The Church of Sant’Andrea in Vessalico is a Romanesque church from the 12th century and was recently restored. In the town center stands the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena, a Baroque building. Both churches mark different periods in the town’s history and give the center a clearly legible architectural range.

The Oratorio della Visitazione in Vessalico dates from the 17th century and bears the name Madonna del Ponte. Casa Manfredi is a 15th-century house with small arches and bifora windows. The Santuario di Nostra Signora della Visitazione stands next to the bridge over the Arroscia.

Lanes, the Arroscia and trails to Monte Frascinello

The lanes of Vessalico lead to the Arroscia and uphill to olive groves. Hiking trails lead from Vessalico and its hamlets to Monte Frascinello. The historical perspective reaches further back, as until the 14th century Vessalico lay on the mule track connecting Liguria with Piedmont. The historic mule track complements the trails to Monte Frascinello with the former connection between Vessalico, Liguria and Piedmont.

A project on local history

The “Vessalico Art Doors Fest” project aims to enhance the town and raise awareness of the importance of women in history. In this way, local history gains an explicitly social perspective alongside churches, houses and historic trails.

More destinations for orientation

Diano Marina, Bussana, Borgomaro, Riva Faraldi, Airole, Glori, Costa Carnara and Vasia

For the main travel overview: Imperia.