Holiday apartment in Chiusavecchia: culture, paths and living traditions

Chiusavecchia combines historic buildings, quiet paths and local festival traditions.

Churches, art and historic buildings

In Chiusavecchia, the Chiesa parrocchiale, La Colombera, the Oratorio di Santa Croce and the Santuario della Madonna dell’oliveto are central points of historical orientation. For those interested in culture, the range extends from a Baroque church and a former watchtower to a Santuario with Romanesque and Neoclassical references.

The Chiesa parrocchiale is dedicated to San Biagio and San Francesco di Sales. It is a Baroque church dating from the second half of the 17th century. Its single-nave interior has four side chapels. The church also contains an exceptional work in terms of size and quality, carved by an unknown artist between the 15th and 16th centuries. Architecture, spatial layout and woodcarving are combined here in a specific building.

La Colombera is a former watchtower that is now preserved as a ruin. The Oratorio di Santa Croce was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and was the seat of the Brotherhood of the Disciplinanti. The interior of the Oratorio di Santa Croce is not open to visitors. Thus, La Colombera is characterised by its preserved ruined state, while the Oratorio is defined by its former function.

The Santuario della Madonna dell’oliveto probably dates back to the 13th or 14th century. In the 19th century, it was remodelled from the Romanesque to the Neoclassical style. Access is provided during services or by prior reservation.

Paths, bridge and landscape

The Ponte sull’Impero has a wide central arch, a flattened structure and smaller side arches. It has always been a connecting route to Borgoratto, a small village on the other bank of the Torrente Impero.

Those exploring Chiusavecchia on foot can include the two walking distances in their daily itinerary: the Ponte sull’Impero can be reached on foot in about five minutes, while La Colombera is accessible via an easy 15-minute walk from the main square. The bridge is also accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

In Chiusavecchia, quiet paths lead through olive groves, oak trees and flowering meadows. In addition to the buildings, nature enthusiasts will therefore find a landscape comprising various types of trees and meadow areas.

Fiera del 2 June and local tradition

The Fiera del 2 June in Chiusavecchia is a traditional festival that has been renewed or continued for more than a hundred years.

The event includes street-food stalls offering typical products as well as craft stalls. The festival thus combines culinary offerings with craft stalls without losing its local character.

Statues kept in the Santuario della Madonna dell’oliveto are carried in a procession every year on 8 September. These include the statues of the Assunta, Santa Infanzia, Madonna delle Figlie or the Immaculate Conception, and San Luigi Gonzaga. For those who enjoy local festival culture, the Fiera del 2 June and the procession on 8 September are among the different traditions of the area.

More places for planning your trip: Apricale, Borgomaro, Bussana, Pigna, Taggia, Rocchetta Nervina, Torrazza and Piani Paorelli.

For the overview of the wider area: Imperia.