Ville San Pietro: Culture, Landscapes and Living Traditions

Ville San Pietro combines baroque architectural heritage, rural landscapes and living traditions in the Ligurian hinterland.

Baroque Architecture and Historic Oratories

The Chiesa di San Pietro in Vincoli in the hamlet of Ville San Pietro, Borgomaro, was completed in 1776 and subsequently consecrated. Its elliptical floor plan, rectangular presbytery and two large side chapels define the architectural layout. These spatial forms shape the baroque design of the interior. It is a significant example of baroque architecture.

Ville San Pietro is also characterized by numerous historic oratories, one for each borgata. Some of these oratories have porticos. The porticos formerly served as places of rest and shelter for the faithful gathered in brotherhoods. The Oratorio della Madonna del Carmine may have originated in the first half of the 17th century; it could date back to that period. For those interested in culture, the church and the historic oratories, with their different historical connections, are therefore the main highlights.

Olive Groves, Forests and Historic Fountains

Olive groves are among Ville San Pietro’s most important agricultural resources. Chestnut and oak forests form part of the typical landscape of this place in the Ligurian hinterland. In this way, the landscape combines agricultural areas with a forest-rich setting. The olive groves and forests thus shape two distinct sides of the landscape.

The townscape includes numerous historic fountains, including the well-known “Bovara” fountain. The fountains are supplied by abundant spring water. The use of nature also remains part of Ville San Pietro: porcini mushrooms, lavender and mint are gathered for traditional purposes and distillation. The plants and mushrooms are therefore just as much part of traditional local use as the fountains are of the town’s water supply.

Sport, Mountain Trails and Regional Cuisine

Traditional Pallone elastico is still played in Ville San Pietro. During the “battuta,” the church roof serves as the designated rebound point. The sporting tradition thus remains connected to a specific structure in the town.

Another living tradition of Ville San Pietro is a hike to the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Lampedusa along old mountain trails. The hike leads to a sanctuary, while Pallone elastico is tied to the church roof. The cuisine also has its own regional character: Spaghetti alla Berettűna is a typical first course in the culinary tradition of Ville San Pietro in Borgomaro.

Getting to Ville San Pietro

For independent travel to Ville San Pietro, take the Statale 28; at the Imperia Est exit, continue toward Borgomaro, then follow the local signposts. The sequence of Statale 28, Imperia Est, Borgomaro and local signposts provides the route to Ville San Pietro.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Taggia, Diano San Pietro, Civezza, Ciapin, Vasia, Vessalico, Montegrazie and Ospedaletti.

For the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.