A
farm house in Western
Liguria
owns its moderate climate to its special geographical position.
It is a natural amphitheatre facing south and shielded from the cold
northern winds by the Sea Alps and the northern Apennines. These very same
elements influence winter temperatures.
The Riviera of Flowers can offer thousands of views and its imposing
scenery: hills covered by olive groves with shining silver-like leaves,
picturesque villages perched on the hills; old towns characterised by small
houses and winding carrugi, as well as sea views of cliffs diving into
the blue sea, well-known resorts along the coast and lovely villages
full of charm and history scattered throughout the hinterland.
Dolceacqua, a place
steeped in ancient history, evidence of which is seen in the parish church
of San Giorgio which stands a short distance outside the
village. The impressionist
Monet immortalised this picturesque village in several paintings.
The oldest part of Dolceacqua stands on the left bank of the river. Here a
muddled assortment of houses stands in the shadow of the castle, an
important example of military architecture, which stands proud on the rock
like a cathedral. To reach the castle one crosses a tortuous maze of lanes,
covered alleyways, arches and ancient tumbledown houses, interspersed here
and there with aristocratic palazzi. Today the former residences are home to
craft workshops and fragrant wine-shops where one can enjoy the best of the
generous local wine Rossese. Until fairly recently, the only way to
reach the Borgo quarter on the other side of the river was by crossing an
elegant, harmoniously designed late Medieval bridge with a single 33
m span. |