Holiday apartment in Dolcedo between bridges, olive oil and history

Dolcedo combines a distinctive local history with a landscape in which vineyards and olive trees shape the character of the trails. The late Gothic parish church of San Tommaso Apostolo preserves the town’s historical and artistic heritage; its present appearance is the result of a reconstruction carried out from 1717 to 1738 according to plans by the architect Giacomo Filippo Marvaldi.

Holiday apartment in Dolcedo: culture and local history

One of the oldest traces in the town is the Chiesa di Castellazzo, considered the oldest building in the area. There is evidence of an early settlement on its site. The Monte di Pietà is also connected with Dolcedo’s history: it was established from 1505 by the Dominican friar Father Agostino da Savona.

The historic character also includes Dolcedo’s five bridges, which cross the Prino River. The Ponte Grande was built in 1262 by the Knights of Malta. The Palazzata has loggias on its top floor. Near Monte Follia, in the area of Dolcedo, traces of a metalworking site with furnaces and residential structures have been found.

Olive oil and local life

The production of olive oil and products made from it remains an important part of local employment in Dolcedo. This long connection with agriculture is also reflected in the history of the town’s name: olive oil production earned Dolcedo the nickname “Conca d'Oro” as early as the 14th century. At Oleificio Asplanato, you can visit olive groves and taste olive oil. Dolcedo’s market takes place on the second Sunday of every month.

Trails for walking, cycling and horse riding

In Dolcedo’s 100-hectare municipal forest, trails lead downhill between vineyards and olive trees towards Dolcedo. The Passeggiata dei Ponti begins at the Chapel of Santa Brigida in Dolcedo and leads through the Valle di San Lorenzo to Pietrabruna. The walking trail to Monte Faudo also starts at the Chapel of Santa Brigida in Dolcedo. For walks starting at the Chapel of Santa Brigida, Pietrabruna and Monte Faudo can be considered as different directions.

Other routes appeal to different interests. The Via del Sale in the area between Santa Brigida and Dolcedo is paved with stone. A cycling and horse-riding route leads from Dolcedo to the Chapel of Santa Brigida and then over the ridge towards Passo Bastia and Passo della Vena. When planning a day in Dolcedo, the trails can be distinguished by their characteristics. The Passeggiata dei Ponti leads to Pietrabruna, while the Via del Sale is stone-paved. The cycling and horse-riding route runs over the ridge towards Passo Bastia and Passo della Vena. When choosing a route for the day, direction, surface and elevation profile should be considered separately.

Discover more places

More places: Borghetto D'arroscia, Berzi, San Biagio Della Cima, Mendatica, Chiusanico, Grimaldi Di Ventimiglia, Castellaro, Tavole

For the overarching travel overview: Imperia.