Dolceacqua - Photo Gallery 01
|
Adding new photographs of Liguria,
the Italian Rivieras and Italy every month. |
Dolceacqua, Province of IMPERIA
Situated seven kilometres away from the sea, Dolceacqua is divided into the two districts of Terra and Borgo which are connected by the humpback bridge over the River Nervia. Built in a strategic position on a rock, its narrow alleyways and high houses built close together make this a very charming location. Dolceacqua was part of the feudal domain of the Ventimiglia aristocracy in the eleventh century, and was bought around 1250 by the founder of the powerful Doria family. Mentioned in 1177 as "Castrum Dulzana" (from the Celtic "D'us Aga", meaning "god of enchantments"), the town has a strict but fascinating layout. Between Dolceacqua and Camporosso, there lie the remains of a guard-house where armed soldiers once watched over the roadways.
The oldest parish church is the recently-restored church of San Giorgio: its façade preserves Romanesque forms, while its interior has a fourteenth-century decorated truss-beamed ceiling. The crypt was refurbished in the sixteenth century and holds two Doria tombs. The convent of Dolceacqua was once an important Benedictine priory.
There have been many archaeolgical finds at San Bernardo: stones with graffiti, Celtic symbols and a tomb. Remnants of Celtic culture are also to be found in the tradition of lighting a bonfire on Christmas night or the traditional Saint Sebastian's Day procession when laurel trees decorated with coloured communion-wafers are carried through the streets. The excursions to San Bernardo, Convento, Addolorata and "Ca' du maigu" take you along old paved mule-tracks between the terraced hillsides and the olive groves. There is a famous local superior-quality wine called Rossese di Dolceacqua. Local cuisine offers tasty dishes such as olive sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, stockfish and a sweet speciality called "michetta". A local festival dedicated to this speciality began as a celebration of the abolition of the "jus primae noctis", an ancient tradition that once allowed a feudal lord to deflower a bride on her wedding night.
Note: The above is an extracts taken from the official web-site of the Regione Ligure, Agriculture and tourism department - Tourist section. |
All images have
digital authentification tags applied and 'megapixel' originals
as a means for copyright identification purposes.
All content copyright ©
2001-2009 Xtrallusion, all rights reserved.
|
Italian
Riviera Homes
Specialising
in beautiful conversions of prominent old 'borghi' into luxury
properties set in their own grounds of vines, fruit and olive
trees. Finished properties are the result of a crafted restoration
of all genuine and authentic characteristics. Unique opportunities
in one of the Riviera's more sought after locations.
Click
the photo advert on the left for details. |
|
|
Adventure, activity and walking
holidays in Italy on the Italian Rivieras. Independent, escorted
and self guided walking holidays in Liguria, Italy - plus paragliding,
4x4 and skiing holidays. Come and discover the undiscovered and
allow yourself to be charmed by Italy's beautiful Ligurian Rivieras.
Visit and explore mountains, mediterranean rivieras and one of
Italy's lesser known regions - on foot, by 4x4, with paraglider
or on skis. |
|
Enjoy relaxed, independent walking
holidays in Italy along the Italian Rivieras using self-guided
itineraries. Explore the beautiful mediterranean countryside
and coastal mountains by foot taking in some of the regions most
famous and magnificent towns and coast - the Cinque Terre, Portofino,
Genova (Genoa), Santa Margherita, Rapallo, San Fruttuoso, Camogli,
Chiavari, Sestri Levante, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Monterosso
al Mare, Corniglia, Portovenere, Savona, Spotorno, Noli, Finale,
Alassio, Imperia, San Remo and it's national parks to name but
a few. |
Whatever you look for in the great
outdoors, the region of Liguria in northern Italy, is a paradise
for independent walking, hiking, mountain walking, coastal walking,
and simply exploring the regions characteristic seaside towns
and fishing villages - in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Liguria, an intense flavour of Italy in one of Europe's most
unique 'sea and mountain' locations.
Xtrallusion offers a variety
of self-guided holidays, all year round. |
|
|
