Holiday apartment in Borghetto di Vara: churches, trails and Pisello Nero

Discover Borghetto di Vara, its history and distinctive character

Historically, Borghetto di Vara was the first post station on the route from La Spezia to Genoa. Today, the town is best explored through its historic settlements, churches, trails and local traditions. When choosing a holiday apartment in Borghetto di Vara, you can therefore focus on the themes that are of particular interest to your travel group: culture, nature, religious history or regional cuisine.

Historic settlements and churches

Cassana consists of individual historic settlements scattered along a trail halfway up the hillside. Examples of rural architecture can be seen there, including carved portals, threshing floors and typical carrugi. The parish church of San Michele Arcangelo in Cassana was built on an existing Romanesque structure, the remains of which are still visible. Inside is a triptych dated 1605, attributed to Giovanni Francesco Cassana.

Further historic highlights include the parish church of San Maurizio in Pogliasca and the churches in L’Ago and Bocca Pignone. San Maurizio dates from the late 17th century; the year 1671 is inscribed on the lintel of the main portal. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was rebuilt after the Second World War, after San Carlo Borromeo had been destroyed during the war. L’Ago preserves a significant heritage of historic rural architecture. The parish church of Sant’Andrea in L’Ago is considered a sight containing important works of art, while the church in Bocca Pignone dedicated to Madonna della Castagna is also regarded as a sight.

The Abbazia dell’Accola likewise combines early history with preserved works of art. The foundation of its church is probably dated to the Lombard period because of a Lombard cross carved into the sandstone portal. Inside, an altar and two frescoes have been preserved; the frescoes date from the late 17th or early 18th century. The Corte dell’Accola is first documented in 881.

Trails by the water, the cave and Monte Castellaro

For active days, the Sentiero Cassana–Bardellone, trail number 48, offers a clear route: it leads from Piazzale della Foce in Cassana along the Torrente Cassana and follows it to Monte Bardellone. The section along the Torrente Cassana features waterfalls and small lakes due to the significant differences in elevation and is surrounded by lush vegetation. Sentiero 49 crosses Monte Castellaro, where the cross is located. On 14 September, it is the destination of a religious pilgrimage; the annual visit to the cross in Località Castellaro is organised by the ACLI di Cassana association.

The Anello Sentieristico di Cassana provides access to the Resciadora ossiferous cave. The cave was explored in 1824. Fossils of the cave bear Ursus spelaeus were found there, the first Italian find of its kind. A stay in a holiday apartment or holiday home in Borghetto di Vara can therefore combine historic places with discoveries in natural history.

Pilgrimage traditions around Roverano

The Santuario Nostra Signora di Roverano is located in a quiet, secluded setting surrounded by olive and chestnut trees. The sanctuary is associated with the tradition of the olive blossom, observed annually on 7 September after the religious celebrations. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared there to two shepherd girls on 7 September; the year is assumed to have been sometime between 1350 and 1352. A historic route from Colle di Roverano to the Torrente Malacqua is documented by a preserved old single-arch bridge. Another historic route leads from Montale via Monte Piano and below Monte Pistone to the sanctuary; for many years, it has been travelled every June by a group from Montale.

Pisello Nero and a festival in L’Ago

The local cuisine includes Pisello nero di L’Ago. It is grown in the municipality of Borghetto di Vara, with its main area of distribution in the hamlet of L’Ago. The Comunità del Cibo del Pisello Nero is committed to its preservation and promotion. At the Festa di San Giovanni Battista in L’Ago, held in June, a religious celebration, musical entertainment and typical products from the valley come together.

Choose the right holiday apartment in Borghetto di Vara

Your choice of a holiday apartment or holiday home in Borghetto di Vara can be guided by the combination you prefer: historic architecture in Cassana, Pogliasca and L’Ago and at the Abbazia dell’Accola, trails along the Torrente Cassana, the Resciadora Cave, pilgrimage traditions around Roverano or Pisello Nero. This makes it easier to find the type of trip that suits your shared interests, without having to consider culture, nature and regional traditions separately.

More destinations to consider

For more travel ideas, also discover Fiumaretta di Ameglia, Vernazza, Madonna di Buonviaggio, La Foce, Zignago, Piano di Follo, Marinella Di Sarzana and San Terenzo.

For the overarching travel overview: La Spezia.