Holiday apartment in Calice al Cornoviglio: castle, nature and festivals

When planning a holiday apartment in Calice al Cornoviglio, natural surroundings, historic spaces and lively festivals come together. The Castello di Calice al Cornoviglio has very ancient origins; its exact founding date is unknown. The municipality is part of the Parco Naturale Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra-Vara – an area where landscape and culture are equally important.

Holiday apartment in Calice al Cornoviglio: culture and history

The piano nobile of the Castello di Calice al Cornoviglio houses the Museo della Brigata “Val di Vara” and the Museo delle Risorse Faunistiche. The lower floors house the Pinacoteca “David Beghè”, the Piccolo Museo “Pietro Rosa”, the Museo della Tradizione Contadina and the Museo dell'Apicoltura. This is the first beekeeping museum established in Liguria.

The Piccolo Museo “Pietro Rosa” preserves a fragment of a statue stele found near Borseda. The Castello was probably extensively rebuilt during the rule of Placidia Doria, a descendant of Andrea Doria, and in the process lost its defensive function in favour of a residential one.

Mountain landscape and trails

At 1,162 m, Monte Cornoviglio is one of the two highest peaks in the municipality of Calice al Cornoviglio. The Torrente Usurana rises on the slopes of Monte Coppigliolo and flows into the Vara at Martinello. The landscape therefore stretches from the mountains to the river course.

For active days, the Anello del Madrignano circular route passes through Calice al Cornoviglio. The four-hour hike is rated difficulty level E and runs through chestnut forests. The regional park promotes outdoor activities such as excursions and cycling. This gives you the choice between a longer hike, a cycling tour or other excursions in nature.

Festivals, chestnuts and regional cuisine

The Festa del Castagno has been held in the hamlet of Calice Castello since 1968; in Calice, it takes place on the second and third Sundays in October. The Festa di Santa Margherita takes place on the second and third weekend of July in Castello di Madrignano. There, you can try traditional dishes such as Ravioli di Santa Margherita. The festival also includes an arts and crafts market in the nearby Oratorio dei SS. Rocco e Antonio Abate.

Calice al Cornoviglio's connection with honey is very old. Local beekeeping activity was rediscovered in the 1980s after having previously been almost abandoned. If you choose a holiday apartment in Calice al Cornoviglio, you can clearly set your priorities: castle history and museums appeal to those seeking cultural discoveries, nature and hiking to those looking for active days, and the festivals to those planning a trip with a seasonal focus.

The entrance and car park at Castello di Doria Malaspina di Calice are accessible to people with disabilities. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can take this accessible entrance and car park into account if you would like to include the Castello in your plans.

Further places for planning your trip

Torza, Mattarana, Castello, Sarzana, La Spezia, Vezzano Ligure, Carrodano, Isola

To the overview of the wider travel area: La Spezia.