Leivi: Historic Churches and Olive Groves

Leivi combines a landscape characterised by olive groves, terraces and dry-stone walls with churches dating from different centuries, historic buildings and paths through the hills. The Sentiero Le 5 torri, the religious buildings and the views towards Portofino offer visitors a range of reasons to visit the area.

Hiking the Sentiero Le 5 torri

The Sentiero Le 5 torri is a circular route that leads from Chiavari over Leivi’s ridge and through Maxena and San Pier di Canne before returning to Chiavari. The trail is classified as T/E, involves an ascent of 250 metres and takes approximately five hours. It takes its name from a medieval tower and four bell towers encountered along the route.

Churches and Historic Buildings

The Torre Difensiva di Avvistamento is a 16th-century defensive and observation tower in Leivi and still shapes the panorama of the town today. The Ponte vecchio sul torrente Lavagna is also one of the historic buildings: the bridge dates from the 16th century and is located in Leivi.

Several churches give the town additional historical depth. San Tommaso del Curlo was already a parish in the 13th century. The present church was rebuilt from the early years of the 17th century onwards after it had been given 25 relics of Roman martyr saints. It can be reached via a municipal road and is also accessible to people with disabilities.

The Chiesa San Rufino was restored between the 17th and 18th centuries and has preserved its present architectural structure to this day. It is accessible and has a large car park. It also stands on the historic route connecting Ri Alto in Chiavari with Bocco di Leivi.

The Chiesa di S. Lorenzo contains an 18th-century altarpiece by Giuseppe Romei. The church is located in a scenic spot and is considered by local historians to be one of the oldest religious buildings in Leivi. The Chiesa S. Terenziano has a single nave and an adjoining bell tower; its chapel most probably dates from before the 17th century. The Chiesa San Michele Arcangelo was formerly known as the San Michele del Bosco priory.

Landscape, Views and Regional Specialities

A road through Leivi offers changing views towards the Portofino peninsula. The landscape is shaped particularly by agriculture: olive groves are Leivi’s most extensive crop by area, while terraces and dry-stone walls, together with the olive trees, define the characteristic appearance of the surroundings.

At the Premio Leivi, you can discover high-quality extra virgin olive oils.

Summer Shuttle Bus to Leivi

From 13 July to 13 September, the municipality of Leivi offered a free summer shuttle bus from the sea to Leivi. The shuttle bus route reached Leivi Bocco and then continued via Via S. Rufino, Via dei Caduti and Via Miramare.

Discover Other Places in the Area

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Leivi, you can find other places in the same regional context: Pieve Ligure, Uscio, Masone, Cogorno, Valbrevenna, Bracco, Favale Di Malvaro and San Lorenzo della Costa.

For the higher-level travel overview: Genoa.