Holiday apartment in Calizzano: trails, forests and Ligurian history

Holiday apartment in Calizzano between trails and forest

Calizzano combines marked trails, beech forests, historic buildings and Ligurian sweet treats.

Marked trails for active days

Several marked connections provide clear starting points for your planning. The route from Località Franchella to Lago di Cravè bears the trail marker H. Another route leads from Calizzano via Prati di Mereta and Cascina Coccalini to San Mauro; it is marked with three small dots arranged in a triangle. From Madonna delle Grazie, a route runs via Barozzo, Bric Bedò and the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri to Melogno and bears the “=” marker.

Beech forests, caves and springs

Barbottina is a forest with monumental beech trees, accessible via the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri between stages 13 and 14. The Area protetta Provinciale Melogno extends from Monte Bedò to Monte Settepani. Its high-trunk beech forests are among the most beautiful, least affected by humans and best-structured forests in all of Liguria. In the limestone-dolomitic area, there are caves with interesting endemic animals. Calizzano has 13 springs where you can refresh yourself.

Village and architectural history

The historic village of Calizzano was surrounded by walls on three sides. It included the Porta di San Rocco, the Porta della Barbacana and the Porta del Mulino. The Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie preserves a frescoed Romanesque portico and a 14th-century fresco of the Madonna and Child. The Chiesa di San Lorenzo was built between 1587 and 1600 on the site of an earlier Romanesque margravial church. The Chiesa del Rosario is the former Annunziata al Pasquale. The Convento dei Domenicani and the Chiesa dell’Annunziata al Pasquale were begun and completed between 1530 and 1540. Calizzano’s historic economy benefited from at least four ironworks commissioned by the Marchesi del Finale and the Republic of Genoa on the banks of the Bormida and its tributaries.

Forest products and Ligurian sweet treats

Forest products and pastries also shape Calizzano. The collection of forest products, particularly Calizzano’s mushrooms, is regulated by a consortium founded in 1983. Revenue from the sale of collection cards for forest products finances the maintenance of roads, paths, springs and equipped rest areas in Calizzano. Pan e ossa dei morti are traditional Ligurian sweet treats associated with commemorating the dead. They are widespread in Calizzano and Val Bormida and are eaten especially in autumn around All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Pan dei morti is made from crumbled dry biscuits, flour, cocoa, white wine, dried fruit, cinnamon and egg whites; Ossa dei morti are dry biscuits made from flour, bicarbonate of soda and whole hazelnuts.

Between Calizzano and the Riviera

The Ligurian Riviera can be reached by car from Calizzano via the Colle del Melogno in about 30 minutes; the route is approximately 23 kilometres long. This allows you to choose the focus of your holiday apartment stay between trails, nature, history, regional cuisine and the Riviera.

More travel ideas

More destinations for your travel planning: Ellera, Dogli, Pietra Ligure, Ranzi, Cosseria, Millesimo, Albenga and Bormida.

For the higher-level travel overview: Savona.