💚🤍❤️ Experience Rocchetta Nervina: A Journey Through Time, Taste, and Terrain
💚🤍❤️ Cari lettori, buongiorno!
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, and that’s not surprising! Nature is overwhelmingly present here; looking up you see the beautiful green mountains that seem to cradle the village, and the sound of the river flowing through it is relaxing and soothing.
Right behind the houses there are pools and rocks and more into the mountains you’ll find a canyon and breathtaking waterfalls.
People who love nature from around the world come to Rocchetta Nervina for its stunning laghetti, its lakes, that reflect the blue of the sky. This delightful scenery, not only makes you feel as if you're transported back in time, but in paradise!
Whether you are looking for a sportive challenge like canyoning, trekking or exploring caves, or just want to enjoy walking, good food and history, Rocchetta Nervina is a unique experience and offers its visitors a lot.
Un po’ di storia e tradizione - A bit of history and tradtion
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 a Celtic-Ligurian god, as remnants of a temple discovered by archaeologists on the summit of Monte Abelio, indicate. Roman coins were found at the same site, while in a historical document dating from 1186, the village is referred to as Castrum Barbarae, which could indicate the presence of a Roman army settlement along the Barbaira stream.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.
In the Oratorio della Santissima Annunziata two wooden sculptures of the Madonna and seventeenth-century works of art depicting a sacred intervention by the Virgin Mary during an attack by the armies from Corsica and Ventimiglia can be admired. 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 who, according to legend, by causing a spontaneous rain shower, prevented foreign troops to besiege the village by setting it on fire.
The Chiesa di Santo Stefano Protomarire, originally built in the 16th century, boasts baroque elements. The church 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. On this occasion inhabitants of Rochetta Nervina carry a statue of Santo Stefano in a procession through their village.
The façade of the Santo Stefano church is adjacent to the Piazza del Balun. 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 quadrette, teams of four players compete on this local village square under the encouragement of its residents.
For the Rocchettini, as the inhabitants here are called in Italian, this occasion is truly special. The photo shows such a foursome, note the special bracciali, bracelets, that they wear for this game.
Rocchetta Nervina’s impressive centro storico, historic center, is characterized by winding alleys, called vicoli, enchanting squares, and a unique ponte a schiena d'asino, a bridge shaped like a donkey's back.
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.
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.
The conservation of traditions is also reflected in the Museo E Dubarìe, a small private museum and historical monument, that provides information about the antico mestiere della lavorazione della pelle, the traditional craft of leatherworking in the past.
It consists of an ancient tannery, a water wheel pounding mill, and old tools used for this craft are on display. The museum exists thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of Enrico Carabalona: figlio di questo borgo, innamorato della mia terra, a son of this village, in love with my land, as he characterises himself.
Rocchetta Nervina has also inspired various artists, such as John Dyer (1968), an 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 moved by the beauty of this authentic borgo, that he created a vibrant work of art, entitled: Swimming in Paradise, Rocchetta Nervina, Rio Barbaira, Italy.
I like to end this newsletter with another artist, Italian painter Lupe Ficara (Milano, 1968). She worked in France until 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.
Rocchetta Nervina is not just a village but an experience that offers you a lot. Whether you are a young traveller looking for sporting adventure or want to enjoy the beauty of nature, good food and history, 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
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