The Fontanabuona Valley

Enrico Pelos

General

This valley is one of the most interesting ones as it has vacation resorts, natural landscapes, trekking itineraries and many shopping centers due to the main activity of the slate quarries. This type of slate is famous in the world as it is specially used, apart from the classical normal use for building, for billiards. The famous one used in the famous film by Paul Newman was made here. Many industiral activities have been developed in recent years but here they are also famous for some typical crfaft production like in Lorsica which is famous for the valuable silk damasks. To be seen here the parish church of the Annunziata which bas a Crocifisso of the renown Maragliano school and the statue to the emigrants. From these areas infact many people left home to go to the Americas. On the main road you find Cicagna with an interesting slate museum. From here you can follow the Black stone or Slate itinerary where it is possible to visit among other things, an interesting quarry at Chiapparino. At Tribogna, there is unique open air slate quarry now to be trasformed in an open air theatre with events during summertime. from here is possible to go up in the High Way of Ligurian Mountains for a spectacular view on the whole valley. Descending along the Fontanabuona you come across to Carasco with interesting shopping possibilities of all kinds in many shops. Cicagna is the main center of the Black Stone Valley and From Tribogna the interesting Columbus Itinerary departs.  Ravioli is the speciality of the restaurants.

(published on the web  6/4/2001)