Discover Castelvecchio Di Rocca Barbena

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena combines a well-preserved medieval village with named trails and distinctive landscape features. This offers two specific points to consider when choosing a destination: the village’s lanes, squares and architectural history, and routes leading to different destinations. From the hill of Castello dei Clavesana, there are views across the Val Neva; the village itself sits on a rocky outcrop.

Lanes, squares and medieval village

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena is considered the oldest feudal village in the Val Neva. Its medieval character is still preserved. The narrow, winding lanes are especially distinctive: earthquake-resistant arches span them and connect stone houses. Old stone washhouses are also among the village’s small squares. The architecture is evident not only in individual buildings, but also in the course of the lanes and the interplay of houses and squares.

The Touring Club Italiano’s Bandiera Arancione award is another facet of the village’s character. Together with the preserved lanes and stone details, it offers a particular way to understand what makes Castelvecchio a destination: the focus here is on the historic village layout and the specific routes through and around the village.

Churches and architectural history

The Oratorio di S. Maria Maddalena on Piazza della Torre is a 17th-century parish oratory. Its architectural features include a Baroque bell tower and a lunette depicting saints. The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta tells a different architectural story: it was rebuilt in the Baroque period over an older structure. This allows the preserved medieval village, the 17th-century oratory and the Baroque rebuilding of the parish church to be distinguished as different historical points of reference.

Routes through the village and to Zuccarello

The circular route described by the CAI connects Zuccarello, Erli and Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena. Within the village, it follows Via S. Michele through stone arches and picturesque lanes to Piazza Cavour. From there, Via del Roso leads downhill, past olive groves, fountains and terraces with dry-stone walls. The route features described along the way are distinct: one section focuses on lanes and arches, while another passes olive groves and terraces shaped by dry-stone walls.

A walking trail from Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena to Zuccarello is dedicated to Ilaria Del Carretto. This is a specific reference to this trail and should not be confused with the circular route, which also includes Erli. When considering the routes described, their respective named places and destinations help distinguish their different points of reference.

Routes to Rocca Barbena and the landscape

On the Colle Scravaion–Giogo di Toirano stage of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, there is a high-altitude variant via Rocca Barbena. Another marked trail leads from Colle Scravaion over grassy slopes and between rock pinnacles to the summit of Rocca Barbena. While the CAI circular route connects Zuccarello, Erli and Castelvecchio, these two route descriptions lead to Rocca Barbena—one as a variant of a stage, the other as a summit destination. This makes it possible to distinguish the routes by their named places and destinations without treating them as connected trails.

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena lies on the Strada Provinciale 582 del Colle San Bernardo, which connects Albenga with Garessio. From the hill of Castello dei Clavesana, views stretch across the Val Neva. The ZSC Monte Ravinet–Roccabarbena, which includes the municipality of Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, among others, is also part of the geographical context. These landscape features complement the historic village with views of the surrounding area and the rocky outcrop on which the village stands.

Discover more destinations: Vendone, Loano, Tovo San Giacomo, Magliolo, Vezzi San Giorgio, Borghi, Savona, Altare.

Go to the main travel overview: Savona.