Holiday apartment in Cartari: village history and views over the Valle Impero

Cartari is a small village of medieval origin, situated in a scenic location on a ridge overlooking the valley. At the same time, the village is embedded in the green Ligurian landscape of the hinterland. From Cartari, views extend across the Valle Impero. On the ridge, the village’s medieval origins meet the green landscape of the Ligurian hinterland directly.

Holiday apartment in Cartari: village history and landscape

The center of Cartari extends along Provincial Road 22. At the northern end of the village stands the medieval Chapel of San Martino. According to local tradition, it marks Cartari’s first settlement core. In this way, the medieval origins and local tradition have a clear connection to the villagescape.

Another notable place is the Parco della Rimembranza di Cartari, covering an area of 3,182 square meters. A memorial stele stands there on a scenic plateau at the top of the hill. Via della Rimembranza connects the village center with the green area commemorating the fallen.

Immediately outside Cartari lie the remains of the old Clavesana castle, hidden in dense Mediterranean vegetation. The castle remains are located outside Cartari, while the chapel stands at the northern end of the village. The ruins bear witness to the strategic importance the area held in the Middle Ages. Together with the Chapel of San Martino, they create a historical arc between the traditional settlement core and the medieval castle complex. For visitors interested in cultural history, this provides an understandable connection between settlement and fortification.

Cartari also offers a specific connection to the landscape for cycling planning. The Anello delle Valli Lerrone, Impero e Arroscia cycling route leads from Colle San Bartolomeo towards Cartari and then descends into the Valle Arroscia as far as Vessalico. In its sequence, it connects Colle San Bartolomeo, Cartari and Vessalico via the Valle Arroscia. For tour planning, the sequence can be understood as a change of direction: first towards Cartari, then downhill into the Valle Arroscia as far as Vessalico. Those planning the cycling route can separate the section to Cartari from the subsequent descent to Vessalico, which leads into the Valle Arroscia. The sequence of places can serve as a guide when dividing up the route.

Cartari is associated with a traditional procession in September. A patronal festival is associated with Cartari on November 13. The procession in September and the patronal festival on November 13 are two separate dates in the annual calendar.

Further places for your travel planning

In addition to Cartari, you can also consider Mendatica, Colle San Bartolomeo, Diano San Pietro, Santo Stefano Al Mare, Riva Ligure, Ventimiglia, Villatalla and Camporosso for your travel planning.

For the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.