The Vara Valley

Enrico Pelos

General

We are here almost at the end of Liguria and the valley is along the motorway. Here you find the nice place of Bolano, a mediaeval village situated in a magnificent scenic position on a hill that dominates the confluence of tbis valley with the Magra valley. Mentioned in a document of 963, it was a feud of the bishops of Luni until 1318, when it passed to the Malaspina family. Genoa took possession in 1562. Climb the valley and, after passing Borghetto Vara, you come to Brugnato, an ancient settlement thought to bave been the capital of the local Ligurians defeated by the Romans in 190 BC. Benedictines built an abbey here in 8th century. To be seen here is the cathedral of the Santi Pietro, Lorenzo e Colombano, of the 11th century; formerly the abbey church of the ancient monastery thought to have been founded by Saint Columban and is one of the best preserved example of medieval architecture in the area. At Pozzolo you can see carved portals. Following the road that climbs the valley you come to Varese Ligure, a farming centre and well renown boliday resort. Of mediaeval origin, the village was for a long tirne of the Fieschi family. The place has a castle which is one of the most interesting examples of a fortress. Near is Càssego with a folk museum. From here you can go up to the Centocroci pass to see a wonderful panorama with farms and agriculture products. While walking around have a taste of Focaccia with raisins from the bakery shops. They are now leaders in Liguria for biologicallly grown products so ask to eat the vegetable recipes in the restaurants with table grapes and mushrooms. Many are the wines here from red Bolano wine to white Tocai d'Arcola or Aleatico di Sarticola. 

(published on the web  2/9/2001)