Varese Ligure
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The colourful town of Varese Ligure is situated within the Province of La Spezia and has a population of just over 1,900 residents. It lies 77 kilometres east of Genoa, the capital city of the Liguria region to which the town belongs.
It stands at an elevation of 353 metres above sea level and is included in the lists of both the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy) and Touring Club Italia's Bandiera Arancioni: the Orange Flag awarded to towns that meet certain criteria in terms of facilities for tourism. |
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A small but fascinating town
Varese Ligure is not to be confused with the much larger city of Varese in Lombardy: the distinction is created by the addition of the word Ligure (with the stress on the first syllable) to the town's name. This happens in place names throughout Liguria and indeed the whole country to separate towns that have the same or similar names.
Although it's little more than a village, Varese Ligure somehow manages to pack in a surprising amount of sights within its tiny confines. The most iconic building in the town is the 15th century fortress: the Castello dei Fieschi, named after the noble Fieschi family which once ruled in these parts. The castle occupies a section of the town's main square: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
Although it's little more than a village, Varese Ligure somehow manages to pack in a surprising amount of sights within its tiny confines. The most iconic building in the town is the 15th century fortress: the Castello dei Fieschi, named after the noble Fieschi family which once ruled in these parts. The castle occupies a section of the town's main square: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
The main sights
To the south of the Piazza lies an area known as the Borgo Rotondo. The circular village sweeps round in an arc of multi-coloured houses enclosing a little square. Away from the Borgo, the main thoroughfare leading through the town is flanked by tall, historic buildings sporting the typical trompe l'oeil designs that can be seen throughout Liguria.
Among the cluster of buildings on one side of the street is the Chiesa e convento di San Filippo Neri e Santa Teresa d'Avila with its beautiful dome while equally eye-catching is the colourful facade of the Albergo della Posta.
Among the cluster of buildings on one side of the street is the Chiesa e convento di San Filippo Neri e Santa Teresa d'Avila with its beautiful dome while equally eye-catching is the colourful facade of the Albergo della Posta.
Exploring the town
Towards the north-western corner of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele there's a beautiful war memorial, beyond which lies a narrow tributary of the Vara River called the Torrente Crovana.
The often-dry stream leads away from the town in a north-easterly direction, with pretty houses on both sides. One of the most attractive areas of the town is the point at which the stream is crossed by the stone bridge: the Ponte di Grecino which was originally built in 1515. Footsteps are marked out on the stone bridge in an effort to guide you through the best parts of the town.
One of those areas to visit is just south of the bridge: the narrow streets of the little centro storico are hemmed-in by a number of shops, bars and restaurants. The Torre Civica tower on Via Chiesa marks the route to the eastern edge of town where the narrow street meets the wider, SP 523 provincial road. It's along this road that another church is situated: the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista built in 1872.
The often-dry stream leads away from the town in a north-easterly direction, with pretty houses on both sides. One of the most attractive areas of the town is the point at which the stream is crossed by the stone bridge: the Ponte di Grecino which was originally built in 1515. Footsteps are marked out on the stone bridge in an effort to guide you through the best parts of the town.
One of those areas to visit is just south of the bridge: the narrow streets of the little centro storico are hemmed-in by a number of shops, bars and restaurants. The Torre Civica tower on Via Chiesa marks the route to the eastern edge of town where the narrow street meets the wider, SP 523 provincial road. It's along this road that another church is situated: the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista built in 1872.
Beyond Varese Ligure
Varese Ligure doesn't have its own train station and while bus services are in operation, the best way to explore the local area is by having your own car.
The main areas of interest lies to the south of the town from where you make a gradual descent to the coast. The main road eventually leads down to the town of Sestri Levante, one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Italy.
North of Sestri Levante are some larger resorts such as Chiavari and Rapallo while the south bound road to La Spezia provides some smaller beach resorts such as Deiva Marina and Moneglia.
The main areas of interest lies to the south of the town from where you make a gradual descent to the coast. The main road eventually leads down to the town of Sestri Levante, one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Italy.
North of Sestri Levante are some larger resorts such as Chiavari and Rapallo while the south bound road to La Spezia provides some smaller beach resorts such as Deiva Marina and Moneglia.
Comune di Varese Ligure
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Province: La Spezia
Region: Liguria Population: 1,811 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 136 km² Elevation: 353 metres Highlights: Castello dei Fieschi, Borgo Rotondo, Ponte di Grecino Close by: Castiglione Chiavarese, Sestri Levante, Moneglia Recommended accommodation: Hotel La Vigna (30 km) |
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One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)
Listing headline: Un Paese tutto Bio (A Totally Biological Village) |
Awarded the Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag)
Since: 2006 1 of 15 in Liguria listed by Touring Club Italiano |
