💚🤍❤️ Experience Rocchetta Nervina: A Journey Through Time, Taste, and Terrain
Welcome to a new blog, where I am excited to present another charming village in Liguria, Italy: Rocchetta Nervina, a delightful mountain village resting on the slopes of Monte Terca in the Ligurian hinterland, where the Oggia and Barbaira mountain streams meet, at a mere 30-minute drive from Ventimiglia on the Italian Riviera.
Embracing the Great Outdoors
Rocchetta Nervina has captured the imagination of many, including John Dyer (1968), a contemporary artist from Cornwall, England. During his first visit, the vivid colours of the area, the lakes and breathtaking waterfalls immediately captivated him. Dyer was so inspired by the beauty of this authentic borgo, that he created the vibrant work of art you see above, entitled: Swimming in Paradise, Rocchetta Nervina, Rio Barbaira, Italy,
People who love nature from around the world come to Rocchetta Nervina for these stunning lakes or laghetti, a scenery, that not only makes you feel as if you're transported back in time, but also in paradise!
Un po’ di storia e tradizione! - A bit of history and tradition!
Discovering Rocchetta Nervina:
Rocchetta Nervina knows a rich history, so let's start with a little bit of that:
Before the Romans came to the region, inhabitants here worshipped the Sun God; we know this because archaeologists discovered remnants of a temple on the summit of Monte Abelio. Roman coins were found at the same site, while in a historical document dating from 1186, the village is referred to as Castrum Barbarae, which could indicate the presence of a Roman army settlement along the Barbaira stream.
Later the region has been part of the Ventimiglia diocese and Nice county, followed by power struggles over control by influential families such as Anjou and Savoy. From the fourteenth to well into the sixteenth century especially the Doria family played a pivotal role in the conflicts. Until Italy's unification in 1861, Val Nervia and Val Roya were part of the canton of Perinaldo and the Kingdom of Sardegna.
The village has an impressive historic center, centro storico, with a ponte a schiena d'asino, a bridge shaped like a donkey's back, winding vicoli, alleys, and stone houses.
Celebrating Tradition
Every year, on September 2nd, the residents of Rocchetta Nervina come together to celebrate U Festin, a festival including a village procession, in honour of the Virgin Mary's miraculous intervention, who, according to legend, prevented the Republic of Genova's armies from setting the borgo on fire by causing a spontaneous rain shower.
In the Oratorio della Santissima Annunziata apart from wooden sculptures of the Madonna, seventeenth-century works of art can be admired, depicting another sacred intervention by the Virgin Mary during an attack by armies from Corsica and Ventimiglia.
The Chiesa di Santo Stefano Protomarire, a village church built in the sixteenth century, boasts baroque elements added later. It is named after Santo Stefano, also known as Saint Stephanus, the first martyr and patron saint of Rocchetta Nervina., whose name day is celebrated on December 26th.
Since 2002, the Festival delle Fiabe, the Fairytale Festival, has been organised, as an artistic spectacle for young and old, where stories and legends are told, music is made, danced, and good food is eaten! Why not try one of the traditional meals Rocchetta Nervina is known for, such as crava e faixoi, a dish of softly cooked goat meat and beans, or Ravioli alla rocchettina, a ravioli based on borage. This plant, commonly known as the cucumber herb, boasts substantial amounts of Vitamin C, Zinc, and B6, rendering it an excellent supplement for any workout routine.
In the Valle del Nervia, Il gioco del Balun, also known as pallapugno or gioco al pallone elastico, is a traditional sport that is gaining popularity through new initiatives. Two teams of four players (quadrette) from different villages compete in a local village square under the encouragement of its residents. The location of this sport in Rocchetta Nervina is the square that the tower of the Santo Stefano church overlooks. For the Rocchettini, as the inhabitants of the village are called in Italian, this occasion is truly special. In the picture above you can see such a foursome, note the special bracciali, bracelets, that they wear for this game.
Finally, there is the Museo E Dubarìe, a small private museum and historical monument in an old water mill, which exists thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of Rocchettino Enrico Carabalona, un figlio di questo borgo, innamorato della mia terra, a son of this village, in love with his land, as he characterises himself. The museum provides information about the antico mestiere, the traditional craft of leatherworking in the past.
I started this blog by introducing contemporary artist John Dyer, who was so moved by Rocchetta Nervina, that he expressed his emotions in a colourful painting.
I like to end this newsletter with another artist, Italian painter Lupe Ficara (Milano, 1968). She worked in France untill 2017; nowadays she lives and works in Berlin. As a frequent visitor of Rocchetta Nervina, she elected it as: the most beautiful village of the area. Her work entitled: Cin Bridge depicts her impression of the Ponte Cin.
Conclusion:
Whether you are a young traveller looking for sporting adventure or want to enjoy the beauty of nature, good food and history, Rocchetta Nervina is not just a village but an experience that offers you a lot. So pack your bags and get ready to discover this special hidden place in Liguria!
💚🤍❤️ Until next time!
Caves: For information and visits contact Gruppo Speleo Torrentistico CAI Bordighera, Corso Europa, 40, Bordighera, Italy - phone: +39 347 273 7329
Museum E Dubarìe: group and school visits by appointment in Italian: info@dubarie.it – +39 3402263584
Source:
Comune di Rocchetta Nervina - Viale Rimembranze, 17 - 18030 Rocchetta Nervina (Imperia)
Photos:
Rocchetta Nervina - acque e sassi - laghetti e vicolo © Manuele Balduinotti
Rocchetta Nervina, ponte a forma d'asino e centro storico - Davide Papalini Wikimedia
Ristorante: Ristorante Bar Da Enrico, Viale Rimembranze 15, Rocchetta Nervina (IM)
Palla pugno: FIPAP © Federazione Italiana Pallapugno