Val di Vara
Right behind La Spezia the land opens up into the Val di Vara, a continuous oasis of nature and green constellated with small and medieval villages, castles, beautiful views immersed in silence.
The most populated town is Verase Ligure situated in a strategic position along the road that passes from Cento Croci (the hundred crosses), which was, at one time, an important course for the communication between the Eastern Liguria and the area of Parma. The two nucleuses which formed the historical inhabitance are The Borgo Rotondo (the round village) and The Borgo Nuovo (the new village).
The first was founded in the end of the 1300’s for defensive and commercial purposes according to a precise town planning which explains the only entrance which is found in the market square. The Castel of Fieschi was constructed to defend the village. Today the Borgo Rotondo hosts cultural and artistic demonstrations. The Borgo Nuovo, which evolved around Borgo Rotondo and at the castle, was developed in 1500. Today the town of Varese Ligure is very much for its decision to be an area with an environmental calling, so much as the first in Italy, shown by its Iso (International Organization for Standardization) certification. Form the valleys of organic products you can find many top quality gastronomic products.
Useful Links
Official site of the mountain community of Val di Vara: www.cm-valdivara.it
