Borghetto Di Vara among churches, trails and rural culture

Between sacred history and rural life

Borghetto Di Vara is ideal for visitors who want to discover Italian history not only in museums, but also in churches, along trails and amid rural settlements. The town’s historical role is reflected in its former function as the first post station on the route from La Spezia to Genoa. The Pisello nero di L’Ago is grown in the municipality; its main area of cultivation is in the hamlet of L’Ago. The Comunità del Cibo del Pisello Nero is committed to preserving and promoting this speciality.

Churches spanning different periods

The parish church of San Michele Arcangelo in Cassana was built on an existing Romanesque structure, the remains of which are still visible. The church also contains a triptych dated 1605, attributed to Giovanni Francesco Cassana. In Pogliasca, the parish church of San Maurizio dates from the late 17th century; the year 1671 is engraved on the lintel of its main portal.

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was rebuilt after the Second World War, following the destruction of the Church of San Carlo Borromeo during the war. The parish church of Sant’Andrea in L’Ago is listed as a place of interest with significant works of art. In Bocca Pignone, the church dedicated to the Madonna della Castagna is listed as a place of interest.

Cassana and the Accola

Cassana consists of individual historic settlement centres scattered along a path halfway up the hillside. These centres contain examples of rural architecture, including carved portals, threshing floors and typical Carrugi, meaning narrow paths between the houses. L’Ago preserves a significant heritage of historic rural architecture.

The first documentary record of the Corte dell’Accola dates from 881. The founding of the church of the Abbazia dell’Accola is probably dated to the Lombard period, based on a Lombard cross carved into the sandstone portal. Inside, an altar and two frescoes have been preserved; the frescoes date from the late 17th or early 18th century.

Trails by the water and across the heights

The Sentiero Cassana–Bardellone, trail number 48, leads from Piazzale della Foce in Cassana along the Torrente Cassana to Monte Bardellone. Due to the significant differences in elevation, the section along the stream features waterfalls and small lakes and is surrounded by lush vegetation. Sentiero 49 leads over Monte Castellaro, where a cross stands. This cross is the destination of a religious pilgrimage on 14 September; the annual visit to the cross in Località Castellaro is organised by the ACLI di Cassana association.

The Anello Sentieristico di Cassana provides access to the Resciadora ossiferous cave. A cave was explored in 1824, during which fossils of the cave bear Ursus spelaeus were found—the first Italian discovery of its kind.

Roverano, traditions and festivals

The Santuario Nostra Signora di Roverano is situated in a peaceful, secluded setting surrounded by olive and chestnut trees. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared there to two shepherd girls on 7 September; the year is believed to have been sometime between 1350 and 1352. The sanctuary is associated with the tradition of the olive blossom, observed on 7 September after the religious celebrations. A historic path led from Colle di Roverano to the Torrente Malacqua; an old surviving single-arch bridge recalls this route.

Another historic path leads from Montale via Monte Piano and below Monte Pistone to the Santuario Nostra Signora di Roverano. For many years, it has been followed in June by a group from Montale. Also in June, the Festa di San Giovanni Battista in L’Ago combines a religious celebration with musical entertainment and typical products from the valley.

Discover more places

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Borghetto Di Vara, here are some more places to visit: Varese Ligure, Bracelli, Rio, Pitelli, Nicola, Cavanella Vara, Castello, Vezzano Ligure.

For the broader travel overview: La Spezia.