Cervo Ligure: the village between the sea and paradise

Between history, land and sea

Just a few kilometers from Imperia rises a medieval village, the jewel of our geo-architectural composition: Cervo Ligure. With its 1,093 inhabitants, it comes alive with countless tourists who, fascinated by the rugged and oxymoronic Ligurian landscape, wish to savor the dialogue between art, architecture, and Italian natural beauty.

Home to numerous historic buildings, the Ligurian village hosts major national and international events. For this reason, InItaly has decided to highlight its main features to immerse readers in what could be an extraordinary travel destination.

A land rich in history and art

According to several historical accounts, Cervo Ligure was founded as a settlement of the Ligurians Iguani and was conquered in 180 BC by Rome, which annexed it to its Cisalpine territories. After the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the territory sought to maintain its autonomy until, in the 14th century, it proclaimed independence and accepted the protection of the Republic of Genoa.

It was during this period that Cervo’s architecture became majestic and splendid, as it still is today. The village has always been home to coral fishermen who, out of devotion, decided to raise funds to build a church as a symbol of their faith. Thus was born the Church of San Giovanni Battista.

Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, the sacred building is also known as the “Church of the Corallini” and dominates the characteristic historic center of Cervo Ligure. As we will see, it has served as the setting for major civic events and represents an extraordinary blend of the early Baroque tendencies of the time with the clearly medieval urban layout.

A center to discover

A typical feature of all medieval villages is certainly the extraordinary proximity of many places of art and culture; Cervo is no exception.

Near the Church of San Giovanni Battista stands the Ethnographic Museum, located in the Clavesana Castle.

Situated in the central Piazza di Santa Caterina, it was built in the Byzantine era. Still intact today, it houses an extraordinary museum that collects the stories, traditions, and customs of the Ligurian village’s people. But the surprises are not over yet!

Following the charming alleys, lined with the famous colorful houses that embrace the village down to the seafront, Cervo Ligure offers other extraordinary monuments: from Palazzo Morchio, seat of the town hall, to the Oratory of Santa Caterina; from the Church of San Nicola da Tolentino, built on a pagan temple, to the Tower of Sant’Antonio, which dominates the entire village.

A great food and wine tradition

Cervo Ligure, located on the coast, also stands out for its extraordinary food and wine heritage, which enhances the Mediterranean culinary tradition.

Thanks to its temperate climate, the village in the province of Imperia offers products of the highest quality: from extra virgin olive oil, produced from the olive groves growing behind the village, to Vermentino, a typical white wine produced from the golden vineyards that flourish on the highest points of the village.

Of course, since Cervo Ligure has always been a fishing village, fresh fish caught by local fishermen is a must at the table, prepared according to various Mediterranean recipes and accompanied by local wines or, in any case, by some of Italy’s finest white wines.

In any worthwhile journey, the culinary experience is absolutely central!

Cervo Ligure: the village of great events

The town on the Ligurian Sea, thanks to its history and picturesque landscapes, lends itself to hosting major national and international cultural initiatives. In particular, two stand out: the International Chamber Music Festival and Cervo ti strega.

Founded in 1964 from an idea by Hungarian violinist Sandor Vegh, the Cervo Festival – as it is also known – has attracted extraordinary and renowned chamber musicians from all over the world. The festival, held every year from mid-July to the end of August, takes advantage of the extraordinary acoustics created by the concave wall of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which develops into a remarkable acoustic resonance chamber.

Also in the spectacular setting of Piazza dei Corallini takes place Cervo ti strega. During this event, now in its 10th edition, the finalists of the Premio Strega honor Cervo Ligure with their works, reflections, and creative perspectives. Four evenings that make the Ligurian village a true crossroads of all the arts.

In the face of such greatness, there is nothing left to do but leave everything behind and reach this Ligurian gem. Cervo Ligure awaits you!

Photo credit: Province of Imperia