Bussana Vecchia: Holiday Apartment for Gardens, Artists’ History and Castle Walls

Bussana Vecchia combines ruins, gardens, artists’ history and distinctive paths to create a unique destination. During a stay in a holiday apartment in Bussana Vecchia, culture, local history, walks and cycling tours can be combined at specific points of interest. At the centre are gardens among the ruins of houses that were not rebuilt; at the same time, the historic settlement preserves the medieval walls of the castle.

Gardens Among Ruins and Views

At the centre of Bussana Vecchia, a series of gardens was created in the ruins of several houses that could not be rebuilt. The gardens cover several terraces, each offering its own view of the village and the surrounding area. The gardens also contain a restored room furnished as it was before the earthquake. In this way, visible traces of destruction, landscaped terraces and a preserved interior come together in one place.

Artists’ History and Historical Traces

The artists’ history of Bussana Vecchia dates back to the end of the 1950s. At that time, Mario Giani, known as Clizia, proposed founding an international artists’ community in the decaying village. In 1960, Clizia founded the artists’ community of Bussana Vecchia. Bussana Vecchia is considered an open-air museum with workshops and small artists’ studios—an aspect that adds art and crafts to a visit without obscuring the medieval traces of the village.

The local history includes the first church of Bussana: it was completed in 1404 and dedicated to Sant’Egidio. The Chiesa di Sant’Egidio is a sight in Bussana Vecchia. The Giardino tra i Ruderi contains a museum area dedicated to Bussana Vecchia, named after the local historian Nilo Calvini. A regional project of the Ministry of Culture also focuses on the restoration and consolidation of the Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista.

Sights for Culture and Discovery

The Rovine della Chiesa also form part of the cultural character of the village: the partially restored ruins have been set up as an open-air venue for performances. Another unusually specific attraction is the Plastico Ferroviario di Bussana Vecchia. It comprises 350 linear metres of railway track on which around ten trains of different types operate, including historic, passenger and freight trains.

Mule Track, Cycling Tour and Day Planning

Other sights include the Vecchia Mulattiera and the Torre dell’Arma. The approach from the SS1 or from the beach via the mule track is a 2.1-kilometre uphill walk that takes around 35 minutes. The path begins to the right of the school in Bussana Nuova. Those exploring Bussana Vecchia by bicycle can plan a tour to Poggio, which offers views of the Ligurian coast.

When choosing your holiday apartment in Bussana Vecchia, the desired rhythm of the day is therefore particularly important: would you like to linger among gardens, ruins, the museum area, artists’ studios and historic sights, or should an uphill walk or cycling tour shape your day? The 2.1-kilometre ascent, taking around 35 minutes, gives you a practical guide for planning the day. This allows you to choose accommodation based on your cultural focus or your interest in physical activity.

For the wider travel overview: San Remo.