Finalborgo
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The village of Finalborgo is situated within the Province of Savona of Liguria and rises to a maximum elevation of 300 metres above sea level. It's a frazione of the Finale Ligure comune and included in the list of Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy).
Finalborgo is characterised by a colourful, medieval centre which is overlooked by a 17th century castle on the hill above it. |
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The borgo of Finale Ligure
Finalborgo is a frazione of the larger town of Finale Ligure which is situated just over a kilometre away. A frazione is a smaller village or hamlet of a municipality: comune in Italian. Whereas Finale Ligure is fairly large and one of the most popular seaside resorts in Liguria, the charm of its borgo is of an altogether different variety.
Your most likely entry point into Finalborgo is the Piazza Porta Testa which lies outside of the walled medieval centre. If you've driven to Finalborgo then you can make use of the car park which is just a couple of minutes' walk away.
As you reach the Piazza you start to feel as if you're entering into a kind of fantasy land as everything is quite different from what we may consider as normal from this point onwards. The square is named after the Porta Testa which is a delightful town gate that allows entrance to the borgo via a stone archway.
Your most likely entry point into Finalborgo is the Piazza Porta Testa which lies outside of the walled medieval centre. If you've driven to Finalborgo then you can make use of the car park which is just a couple of minutes' walk away.
As you reach the Piazza you start to feel as if you're entering into a kind of fantasy land as everything is quite different from what we may consider as normal from this point onwards. The square is named after the Porta Testa which is a delightful town gate that allows entrance to the borgo via a stone archway.
Entering the city walls
The Porta Testa was built in 1452 and in later years had a clock added to it: the colourful structure with the coat of arms just above the archway masks a gruesome past from which its name derives. It's said that Porta Testa ("Head Gate" in English), was where the severed heads of enemies were displayed to warn off other would-be assailants.
That rather horrific imagery is quite at odds with the joyful aspect of the outer wall from which you pass under the arch into the pedestrianised borgo. Any thoughts of those medieval horrors soon give way to a sense of fun in this village which is full of great places to eat, fascinating historic buildings and built of an extraordinary palette of colours.
Little Piazza Garibaldi is just about the prettiest of the squares: its buildings brightly painted and sometimes adorned with crests or frescoes. The Piazza San Biagio could also lay claim to that title with its own pretty environs embellished by the presence of the Chiesa di San Biagio with its harmonious Baroque facade and rather more intricate interior. The church originally dates back to the 14th century but the edifice we see today is largely from the 17th.
That rather horrific imagery is quite at odds with the joyful aspect of the outer wall from which you pass under the arch into the pedestrianised borgo. Any thoughts of those medieval horrors soon give way to a sense of fun in this village which is full of great places to eat, fascinating historic buildings and built of an extraordinary palette of colours.
Little Piazza Garibaldi is just about the prettiest of the squares: its buildings brightly painted and sometimes adorned with crests or frescoes. The Piazza San Biagio could also lay claim to that title with its own pretty environs embellished by the presence of the Chiesa di San Biagio with its harmonious Baroque facade and rather more intricate interior. The church originally dates back to the 14th century but the edifice we see today is largely from the 17th.
Exploring the centro storico
From Piazza San Biagio another town gate, the Porta Reale leads across the beautifully-named Torrente Aquila or "Eagle Stream". Cross the small bridge here and you find yourself walking away from the most interesting part of the village but it's worth taking those few steps in order to get a photo of the church from a different angle with the sometimes dry stream in the foreground.
It's strange to think that such a small village has so many sights but it's not without reason that Finalborgo has made it to the top of our list of Borghi Più Belli d'Italia - beating off competition from more than 300 others.
Back within the medieval walls we find another colourful square: Piazza Aicardi which is anything but square in shape: it's more of a street with a hotchpotch of buildings finished with porticoes at the bottom, decorated with trompe l'oeil designs or exhibiting faded paintwork as in the case of the Albergo Ristorante Bar Roma. Piazza Aicardi gives way to the Piazzetta Meloria in one direction and the slightly larger Piazza del Tribunale in the other.
It's strange to think that such a small village has so many sights but it's not without reason that Finalborgo has made it to the top of our list of Borghi Più Belli d'Italia - beating off competition from more than 300 others.
Back within the medieval walls we find another colourful square: Piazza Aicardi which is anything but square in shape: it's more of a street with a hotchpotch of buildings finished with porticoes at the bottom, decorated with trompe l'oeil designs or exhibiting faded paintwork as in the case of the Albergo Ristorante Bar Roma. Piazza Aicardi gives way to the Piazzetta Meloria in one direction and the slightly larger Piazza del Tribunale in the other.
A fantasy land from another time
As you make your way south of Piazza del Tribunale, exploring the narrow, snaking streets of the borgo, you come to an area with a cluster of visitor attractions. The Chiostri di Santa Caterina (Saint Catherine's Cloisters) complex houses a number of sights including an archaeological museum, a library and a food hall.
So engaging are the colourful streets and piazzas of Finalborgo that you might not have thought to raise your head skywards and pick out another magnificent building. Perched on the hill overlooking the borgo is the 17th century Forte San Giovanni which was built by the Spaniards as a defensive measure but in later years used as a women's prison and now houses a museum.
Whether or not you wish to enter the castle and the museum, a walk up to the castle is an absolute must as it provides the best photographic vantage point and some quite magnificent views of the surrounding area.
The wonderful Finalborgo merits a visit in its own right but for anyone enjoying a seaside holiday in the local area it would almost be a crime to miss out on this unique, mini fantasy land.
So engaging are the colourful streets and piazzas of Finalborgo that you might not have thought to raise your head skywards and pick out another magnificent building. Perched on the hill overlooking the borgo is the 17th century Forte San Giovanni which was built by the Spaniards as a defensive measure but in later years used as a women's prison and now houses a museum.
Whether or not you wish to enter the castle and the museum, a walk up to the castle is an absolute must as it provides the best photographic vantage point and some quite magnificent views of the surrounding area.
The wonderful Finalborgo merits a visit in its own right but for anyone enjoying a seaside holiday in the local area it would almost be a crime to miss out on this unique, mini fantasy land.
Finalborgo - frazione di Finale Ligure
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Comune: Finale Ligure
Province: Savona Region: Liguria Elevation: 0 - 300 metres Highlights: Cloisters of Santa Caterina, Porta Testa Close by: Borgio, Verezzi, Pietra Ligure, Varigotti, Loano, Spotorno Recommended accommodation: Hotel Boncardo (2 km) |
One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)
Listing headline: Aria da Marchesi (Traces of the Marquesses)
Listing headline: Aria da Marchesi (Traces of the Marquesses)
