Carrodano – Nature, Ancient Paths and Sacred Sites

Carrodano combines a wooded landscape with sacred buildings, historic paths and village culture. If you are looking for a destination with a variety of interests for your trip to Italy, you will find both connections to nature and traces of medieval and early modern history here.

Natural surroundings and historic connections

Carrodano is one of the municipalities within the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Nature Park. Its three main settlement centres lie in a wooded environment along the traces of ancient paths. The ancient route connecting the Spezzino and the Genovesato followed the course of the Torrente Malacqua, crossed the Passo del Bracco and continued towards Val Petronio and Sestri Levante.

The ancient Santo Spirito hospice, which was dependent on Brugnato Abbey, stood on the right bank of the Torrente Malacqua. A medieval bridge over the stream lies along an old Via Romea. These places give the landscape a historical context, without requiring nature and culture to be viewed separately here.

Getting there and orientation

The SS1 Via Aurelia state road connects Carrodano with Deiva Marina to the west and Borghetto di Vara to the south. Carrodano can also be reached via the Carrodano-Levanto motorway toll station on the A12. When choosing a hotel, you can therefore take into account both its location along the documented transport connections and your interests in churches, paths and nature.

Churches and the history of Carrodano

The Nostra Signora di Roverano sanctuary has a Latin-cross floor plan, a single-nave layout and a dome over the crossing. In Carrodano Superiore, the history of the parish church of San Bartolomeo has long been a central focus: it has been documented as a parish since 1516, and its oldest parish register dates from 1650.

Carrodano Superiore was under the rule of the Malaspina noble family by virtue of a document issued by Frederick I Barbarossa in 1186. In Ferriere, the Church of Saints Andrew and Aurelius was built by the Fieschi family next to their palace in the 17th century. Both references supplement the sacred buildings with specific historical connections.

Small squares, art and local sites

The Piazzetta Ovale di Santa Felicita is one of Carrodano’s sights. The Church of Santa Felicita there houses a processional statue or group weighing more than six quintals. It depicts the martyrdom of the saint and her seven children.

The Church of San Giovanni Battista in Mattarana is also one of Carrodano’s sights. Just outside Mattarana’s town centre, a short distance along the Statale Aurelia, stands an artistic bronze fountain dedicated to Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. In this way, sacred art, local history and public design come together across the different settlements.

Paths, mountain biking and village culture

The Carrodano area has nature trails prepared for sporting activities, particularly mountain biking. Within Carrodano, the Borghetto–Madonna di Roverano–M. Pastenelle–Punta Leccio route includes a 3,954-metre section. This allows you to combine different trail lengths and interests in observing nature, physical activity and historic landscapes when planning your trip.

Since 2015, the village lanes and old cellars have served as venues for works by artists and craftspeople during the Arte nel Borgo festival. ARTE NEL BORGO in the historic centre of Mattarana di Carrodano also featured local craft workshops, music and cooking. These two references show culture not only in churches and buildings, but also in the streets and interiors of the settlements.

Discover more destinations

For further travel planning, you can also view Falcinello, Maissana, Zignago, Pegui, Beverino, Bonassola, Ameglia, Sarzana.

For the overview of the wider destination: La Spezia.