Holiday apartment in Tessi: History, Ameghino and Cycling Routes

Tessi combines local history, science and cycling. A Chapel of Saint Roch, the birthplace of Florentino Ameghino and two cycling routes give the town several specific points of interest. For those interested in culture, the points of connection lie in the chapels, history and biography; the cycling routes complement these topics with specific routes. The historical and biographical connections extend from Tessi to Moneglia and onward to the museums where Ameghino worked.

Location and Transport

Tessi lies between San Saturnino and Bracco, currently directly above the motorway. Tessi is connected by bus routes 742 and 962.

Historical Connection to Moneglia

Tessi’s relationship with Moneglia dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1537, Tessi was considered a “villa” of Moneglia. In 1433, residents of Tessi were among those who demanded the demolition of Moneglia’s parish tower. Their aim was to open access to the town for the surrounding small centres. The historical connection therefore includes both Tessi’s position in relation to Moneglia and a specific demand for access to Moneglia at that time.

Chapels of Saint Roch

Tessi has a chapel dedicated to Saint Roch. In Moneglia, the Cappella di San Rocco is a votive chapel dating from the 18th to the 19th century. The chapels are therefore located in two different places but share the same patron saint. In Moneglia, the dedication to Saint Roch is accompanied by the chapel’s function as a votive chapel and its historical dating.

Florentino Ameghino in Tessi and Moneglia

Florentino Ameghino was born in Tessi on 19 September 1853. His birthplace is located there on a street that bears his name; today, the site is privately owned.

Florentino Ameghino came from Moneglia and became an internationally renowned palaeontologist. Moneglia granted the scientist Fiorino (Florentino) Ameghino honorary citizenship. He was deputy director of the Museo de La Plata and director of Argentina’s Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. His biography thus connects a birthplace in Tessi with his origins, recognition and scientific leadership positions in Moneglia and at two museums.

Cycling Around Tessi

The Moneglia–Bracco–Incisa–Lemeglio–Moneglia cycling loop passes through San Saturnino and Tessi. It returns to Moneglia and thereby forms a loop through several place names. Another route runs between Bracco and Pietra di Vasca on an easy, flat gravel path surrounded by nature. It remains between these two places. The cycling loop includes Tessi in a longer sequence of places; the second route is limited to the section between Bracco and Pietra di Vasca.

For planning a day out, the routes differ in terms of their course and surface: The cycling loop returns to Moneglia, while the second remains between Bracco and Pietra di Vasca and follows an easy, flat gravel path surrounded by nature. Anyone planning a loop with a return to Moneglia should choose the first route; anyone considering the flat gravel path between Bracco and Pietra di Vasca should choose the second.

More Destinations

If you would like to extend your travel planning beyond Tessi, you can find more destinations here: Camogli, Neirone, Masone, Sella, Prato, Orero, Ruta, Mele.

To the higher-level travel overview: Genoa.