Calice Al Cornoviglio: Castle, Hiking Trails and Festivals

Calice Al Cornoviglio appeals to travelers who want to take hiking country, historic buildings and local festivals into account when choosing where to stay. Castello di Calice al Cornoviglio brings together several museums and a long history whose exact beginnings are unknown. Points to consider when planning a trip include Monte Cornoviglio, the Torrente Usurana and the Anello del Madrignano loop trail. There are also two festivals held at different times of year.

Landscape and Hiking

Monte Cornoviglio reaches 1,162 meters and is one of the municipality’s two highest peaks. The Torrente Usurana rises on the slopes of Monte Coppigliolo and flows into the Vara at Martinello. These details show different aspects of the landscape: the elevation of a peak and the course of a stream. Calice Al Cornoviglio is also part of Parco Naturale Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra-Vara. The park promotes outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.

One specific hiking option is the Anello del Madrignano loop trail: the route takes four hours, is rated difficulty level E and passes through Calice Al Cornoviglio. Along the way, it runs through chestnut woods. The duration and difficulty rating offer two different points of reference for planning your trip; also check current trail conditions before setting out. This lets you consider the hike as a focus in its own right, without conflating it with the park’s more general outdoor activities.

Castle, Museums and History

Castello di Calice al Cornoviglio has very ancient origins, although its exact founding date is unknown. It was probably extensively remodeled during the rule of Placidia Doria, a descendant of Andrea Doria. The complex then lost its defensive function in favor of a residential one. This qualified account of its timeline is part of the castle’s history and makes clear that not every stage in its development can be precisely dated.

The piano nobile, or main floor, of the castle houses the Museo della Brigata “Val di Vara” and the Museo delle Risorse Faunistiche. The lower floors contain the Pinacoteca “David Beghè,” the Piccolo Museo “Pietro Rosa,” the Museo della Tradizione Contadina and the Museo dell’Apicoltura. The museums offer a range of themes, from wildlife and art to rural traditions and beekeeping. The Piccolo Museo Pietro Rosa also preserves a fragment of a statue stele found near Borseda.

The Museo dell’Apicoltura was the first beekeeping museum established in Liguria. Calice Al Cornoviglio’s connection with honey goes back a long way; local beekeeping had previously almost disappeared and was rediscovered in the 1980s. The entrance and parking area of Castello di Doria Malaspina di Calice are accessible to people with disabilities.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The Festa del Castagno has been held in the hamlet of Calice Castello since 1968, on the second and third Sundays of October each year. The Festa di Santa Margherita is celebrated on the second and third weekends of July in Castello di Madrignano. Visitors can sample traditional dishes such as Ravioli di Santa Margherita. The program also includes an arts and crafts market at the nearby Oratorio dei SS. Rocco e Antonio Abate.

The two festivals mark different times of year: Santa Margherita, with its food and market, takes place in July, while the chestnut festival is held in October. If you plan to time your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates in advance. When choosing a hotel, you can focus on what matters most to you: a hike, the museums’ themes or a visit during a festival. The area’s distinctive features offer several reasons to consider Calice Al Cornoviglio as a travel destination.

Discover more destinations: Piana Battolla, Bracelli, Ameglia, Portovenere, Sesta Godano, Zignago, Le Grazie, Monterosso Al Mare

For the main travel overview: La Spezia.