Menosio: Hiking and Architectural History

Menosio is the starting and ending point of the Anello di Arnasco loop trail. The Torre di Davì, Via Cappella, and historic buildings offer other topics to explore during your stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Menosio, you can focus on hiking or on the town’s history and architecture.

Hiking from Menosio

The Anello di Arnasco begins in Menosio, follows the ridge behind Arnasco to Montenero, and ends back in Menosio. From here, the path climbs between dry-stone walls and olive trees. Three landmarks define the route: Menosio as the start and finish, the ridge behind Arnasco, and Montenero. Dry-stone walls and olive trees mark the ascent; the ridge and Montenero indicate the route’s further extent.

A section of path from Menosio to the Torre di Davì passes through meadows and Mediterranean scrub. The routes described therefore offer contrasting landscapes: olive trees and dry-stone walls along the Anello, and meadows and scrub on the section to the Torre. In the section through Menosio, the route heads north into Via Cappella at the level of a bend on Piazza A. Tomatis. This pedestrian route runs between the houses of the hamlet. There are lanes in the Via Cappella area that motor vehicles cannot use.

The Torre di Davì and local history

The Torre di Davì is located near the hamlet of Menosio. Its conical stone structure and an exterior spiral staircase define the building’s architectural description. The tower was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Local legends and oral traditions attribute its construction to Davide Badoino, an emigrant who returned from France, and present the Torre as an example of dry-stone construction. The building’s distinctive form thus sits alongside an origin story explicitly presented as legend.

The Cappella di San Pantaleone in Menosio dates to the period from 1624 to 1653. Near Menosio, the Forte di Rocca Liverna, also known as Rocca Riverna, was built between 1881 and 1897 as a fortification complex consisting of two forts. A loop trail that begins in Menosio leads to the entrance to the Forte. The chapel therefore belongs to a different historical period from the fort complex: it dates to the 17th century, while the Forte was built in the late 19th century.

Olive-growing culture in the municipality of Arnasco

In the municipality of Arnasco, the Museo dell’Olivo e della Civiltà Contadina is dedicated to rural life in past centuries. Its collection includes more than 500 objects that recreate this way of life. The museum also includes an oil mill dating from 1796. The Pignola, known locally as Arnasca, is considered the most widely cultivated olive variety in the municipality. The collection, oil mill, and variety name offer different perspectives on Arnasco’s agricultural culture: rural life, olive oil production, and olive growing.

Discover more destinations: Loano, Albenga, Piani, Ceriale, Quiliano, Teglia, Giusvalla, Bormida-Genepro.

For the regional travel overview: Savona.