Tovo San Giacomo, the capital of tower clocks

Tovo San Giacomo, a hillside centre of the entroterra of the Riviera delle Palme, houses the rarity of the renowned Tower Clock Museum owned by the Bergallo family, a treasure trove of art and technology (these masterpieces, by the way, travelled as far as the Antarctic). The bequest of the last clockmaker, Giovanni Bergallo, who wanted to donate his collection to his village, the museum displays authentic pieces (some of them dating back to the 16th century) collected by the Bergallo family itself and coming from collectors’ donations, churches and other institutions. The museum also houses dials, hands, "oddities" coming from bell towers, pulleys, objects witnessing the rich history of technology and bygone mechanical watch-making.

Tovo San Giacomo is also worth a visit for the artistic riches treasured in its churches and noble palaces as well as for its monuments, such as the one (the only in Italy) dedicated to the Cristezzante, a typical Ligurian “Cristi” bearer, i.e., the wooden crosses, heavy, difficult to keep in balance - sweat and blood swear words during the long processions of the confraternities.

The local library is curiously named after Mario Borsalino, the founder of the homonymous hat factory famous all over the world. Borsalino was also a passionate aviator and, on January 17, 1907, he had a daring accident as he was flying in a hot air balloon just as he was crossing the skies of Tovo.

Obviously Tovo San Giacomo also means food, oils, wines, paths. Enjoy this bounty in traditional restaurants and quality local agriturismi  equipped with gardens, animals, vineyards for a real experience in nature.

 

 

My English abstract of the article as published on LiguriaFood

Luisa Puppo

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