Calizzano, the scent of a community

Located in the greenery of the Bormida Valley (only 27 km from the coasts of the Italian Riviera), Calizzano is the ideal “getting away from it all” destination for hikers, bikers… and foodies

Calizzano (Savona)

When Dario Sabatelli commissioned this feature about Calizzano, I asked myself: where should I start? As for Calizzano, in fact, I am biased, I have been a regular for nearly 20 years, and I love the place intensely.

My first memory – driving my car more than 20 years ago - is an enamel sky, as we climbed up towards the Melogno pass from Finalborgo, and the crisp air of the 1,000 m a.s.l. grand beech forest...  

BEECH FORESTS AND TRAILS

There are dozens and dozens of trails in and around Calizzano, between the Bormida and Tanaro Valleys, perfect opportunities to escape traffic and smog. The Barbottina forest (a protected state-owned area), the ascent to Monte Spinarda, the relaxing "wandering" along the Rio Nero towards Bardineto...

MORE THAN A BORGO

650 m a.s.l., nearly 1,500 inhabitants, Calizzano is also reached by public transportation (buses). The heart of the settlement is mainly the picturesque carruggio (via Garibaldi) at the feet of the thirteenth-century castle that once belonged to the Marchesi Del Carretto. 

Stroll around and discover its pleasant churches: San Lorenzo (the parish church), the Madonna del Rosario (in the hamlet of Pasquale), and the Grazie sanctuary (in the Frassineto region).

Calizzano is the perfect holiday destination for families with children, hikers, trekkers and bikers - the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri is just a stone's throw away – not to forget about foodies.

PORCINI MUSHROOMS AND DRIED CHESTNUTS

A land of woodsmen, mushrooms and springs: nowadays I browse at ease amidst the gastronomy of this border area, and research the “symbiosis” with the nearby Piedmontese province of Cuneo. 

Chestnuts dried in tecci (traditional huts), vegetable savoury pies, white polenta, wild berries, dry pastries and the soft strozzagatti cake...

Gourmet stopovers include restaurants, hotels, trattorias and pizzerias, wine bars and agriturismi: an array of choices suiting taste, time and budget. 

My English abstract of the article by Umberto Curti as published on Liguria Food  

Luisa Puppo

This is the fascinating world of tastes and crafts that LiguriabyLuisa discloses to foreign markets and buyers (tour operators, travel agencies, organizations, associations, food&wine dealers and import/export professionals....).

Would you like to know more? Contact me and detail your queries.