Discover Ortovero: Churches, Trails and Pigato

Geology and Local Character

Ortovero combines geological features with a sacred and agricultural identity. The Argille di Ortovero are sandy-clayey deposits containing fossil shells from the Pliocene, the geological epoch of marine transgression. At the same time, the area is considered agriculturally oriented, with the cultivation of roses and peaches. Those interested in landscape history and local character will find two different perspectives here: geological history and cultural landscape.

Sacred Buildings and Historical Traces

The parish church of San Silvestro is a medieval building with alterations from the 17th and 19th centuries. The Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista was built on the ruins of the 13th-century castle of the Clavesana family; from there, there is a broad panoramic view over the Piana di Albenga. In the hamlet of Pogli stands the parish church of Santo Stefano, with a polyptych by Pietro Guido da Ranzo dating from 1537, depicting Saint Stephen and other saints. Pogli also preserves the remains of battlemented towers belonging to a fortified village that Albenga founded in 1288 to protect the valley.

Frate Ave Maria in Pogli

A circular walk in the hamlet of Pogli connects places of particular importance to the life and spirituality of Frate Ave Maria. Each station has an information panel with a map of the area, the stops on the walk, and location-specific information and images. The panels also contain translations of Frate Ave Maria's thoughts in Braille. The Frate Ave Maria Museum documents important stages of his life on a series of panels: his childhood in Pogli, his family, his meeting with Don Orione, the long period he spent in the hermitage of Sant'Alberto, his death, and Frate Ave Maria's declaration as Venerable by John Paul II.

Hiking, Cycling and Horse-Riding Trails

Throughout the municipal area, there are nature trails as well as routes for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. Ortovero is part of the “Pedala a Ponente” cycling tourism project. As part of this project, Ortovero has circular routes on mixed-surface roads with different distances. The “Anello di Ortovero” route is associated with route code GSVA222H1PE and a length of 3,290 metres. A trekking route between Ortovero and Vendone begins at Parco Don Armato on Viale Chiesa in Ortovero.

Processions and Pigato

The Giro delle Cappelle is a traditional procession on Maundy Thursday, organised by the Brotherhood of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria of Ortovero. The del Balzo procession takes place on Good Friday morning, following an old path through the clay deposits of Ortovero and reaching the area of Pogli. The Centro Enologico-Enoteca Regionale in Ortovero hosts annual events promoting Pigato. At the Viticoltori Ingauni cooperative at Via Roma 3, you can buy its own selection of wines and other products.

When choosing your accommodation, you can combine these focuses: churches and historical traces for cultural days, places associated with Frate Ave Maria and processions for spiritual interests, trails for outdoor activity, and Pigato and other products for a taste of the region. This gives Ortovero a clearly defined profile as a destination for a personalised trip to Italy.

More destinations for your planning: Calizzano, Vellego, Orco Feglino, Millesimo, Sassello, Casanova Lerrone, Testico, Varazze

For the overarching travel overview: Savona.