Carasco: River Landscapes, Churches and Leisure Activities

Carasco lies in the lower Fontanabuona Valley, just inland from Chiavari. The town combines a river landscape with churches in several hamlets, historic buildings and a range of leisure activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Carasco, these different themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

River Landscapes and Location

Carasco lies at the confluence of the Lavagna and Sturla torrents. Rivarola has another connection to the landscape: the hamlet lies at the foot of the hill that rises within the Lavagna’s broad bend. There, the Lavagna and Graveglia meet to form the Entella River. The Lavagna is the shared point of reference; the second tributary named is the Sturla at Carasco and the Graveglia at Rivarola.

Churches in the Hamlets

Rivarola is home to the Church of Saints Quiricus and Julietta, while the hamlet of San Pietro di Sturla is home to the Church of San Pietro. The church in Santa Maria di Sturla is known by both the names Santa Maria di Sturla and San Pellegrino. The two names therefore refer to the same church in this hamlet. In Graveglia stands the Church of Sant’Eufemiano, built by Benedictine monks from the Abbey of San Colombano di Bobbio. Several churches can thus be linked to specific hamlets; in the case of Sant’Eufemiano, the named abbey is also part of the building’s history.

Historic Buildings

The Rivarola Bastion was built by the Genoese in the 12th century, at the heart of the Fieschi family’s holdings. It is therefore set in the medieval history and territorial context of the Fieschi. Another historic landmark is the old bridge in Carasco: it was preserved as a link between Carasco and Leivi after it was closed to modern traffic. The two structures thus have different points of interest: the bastion’s connection to the Fieschi holdings, and the bridge’s role as a link between two places.

Leisure Activities in Carasco

The Circuito Kart di Carasco was built in 1998–1999. The track is 400 metres long and has bends of varying radii; the facility also has a professional timing system. Its length, layout and timing system clearly define the circuit’s technical features.

The equestrian training centre in Rivarola is affiliated with CONI. It offers structured courses at different levels, as well as show jumping and pony riding. The activities also differ in type: on one hand, there is the Circuito Kart; on the other, the equestrian training centre, with its courses and the two named riding disciplines.

Carasco has four municipal green spaces. Residents can use them during opening hours. In addition to historic buildings and the leisure activities mentioned, these green spaces are part of what the town has to offer.

Discover other destinations: Gaiazza, Isola del Cantone, Busalla, Lavagna, Rapallo, Bargagli, Pegli, Neirone

Go to the main travel overview: Genoa.