The sun shines as usual and its brilliant light reaches the seawater of Borgio Verezzi. We need a hat and a comfortable pair of gloves to protect our hands from the fresh morning air we feel on our skin.
We are ready for a new exciting stage of #LiguriaTrekkingeXperience!
For this second adventure we choose both the Nature path and the Culture path of Borgio Verezzi. It is an easy trail, suitable for children, through which we can admire the wonderful landscapes of this place and its extremely rich cultural and historical heritage.
These two paths with the Geologic path are included in a project of theme routes the Municipality of Borgio Verezzi carries out successfully. Principally we choose to walk the first one even if we don’t leave out the stunning scenery of the second one.
The Nature path and the Culture path
Borgio Verezzi, one of the most beautiful places in Italy, is divided into two separate areas: Borgio, at sea level, and Verezzi, on the hill along the coast.
As usual, we start from the sea, that is from Borgio. Together with our guides Cesare and Giorgio we leave the beach behind and reach the historic centre of the village. After admiring the Church of San Pietro we go on walking along the small typical cobblestone alleys until we get to the famous caves of Borgio Verezzi.
Visiting them is an order.
While going down along these underground rooms rich in mineral, lakes and tunnels, we are enthralled with the scenic views and especially with their wonderful colors. This is why the Caves of Borgio Verezzi are called “the most touristic colored Italian caves”.
After visiting the caves, we keep our trekking route and we take the little road just on the left of the exit. After a while we find a signpost marking the beginning of the Nature path. The first part of the trail leading to Verezzi shows an uphill cobblestone way. Yet this little work is rewarded with a breathtaking view we can have as we get to Piazza Sant’Agostino, the main square in Verezzi.
After a short break we leave the square behind and keep our way along the little streets of the village until we cross a small paved road. Then we take one of the Creuse (small local farm tracks) going up until we reach two small adjacent churches in a very green atmosphere. They are the Sanctuary di Maria Regina Mundi and the Church of San Martino, two historic buildings from which we have an incredible view along the whole coast below.
Between the two churches a signpost shows the way to the Phoenician mill. We follow it, curious to see what waits for us. So we learn that in Borgio Verezzi, at 280 meters above sea level, there is one of the last Phoenician mills still present in Europe. To be precise, the one in front of us is the most well-preserved mill among the last three still existing in the whole Europe. It is a circular stone building which once was used as a windmill.
Carob trees and strawberry trees walk with us along our coming back. We follow the wall of the small cemetery until we arrive at a cobblestone road opening on the right towards thick spurge woods, brooms and nut trees. Here the Nature path and the Culture path surprise once more: we notice that some clear evidences of fossil records are set on the rock looking at our trail.
The present signposts explain this is the famous Stone of Verezzi, a decorative stone showing marine organisms dated more than 20 million years old.
After admiring these rocks which talk about the most ancient Ligurian history, we keep on going down until we reach our departure point: the beach.
To conclude, we walked along a 7-8 km ring route in a three-hour period and we had the great chance to plunge in the scenic nature of Borgio Verezzi and meet the charming history of Liguria as well.
