Dolceacqua is one of the most picturesque villages in Italy. It lies in the Nervia valley and its history goes a long way back. It is an ideal destination for a Saturday family trip or even a romantic weekend getaway.
Dolceacqua is a charming medieval village in the Nervia valley. Its setting is unbelievably charming. An old little village with a river meandering through, an impressive castle dominating the scenery and a calm atmosphere filled with memories of past centuries. It is an ideal place for a quick weekend trip, especially if your interests lie in history, romantic winding streets and impressive art and architecture. The river Nervia flows directly through the middle of the village. The oldest part, called Terra, is dominated by the Doria castle. The newest part of the village, Borgo, is situated on the opposite bank of the river. Both banks are connected via a bridge which found its way to many works of art, most famous of which is that by Claude Monet, who painted it in 1884. He adored the view and the bridge in his own words was “a jewel of lightness”. The village is also well known for numerous vineyards as well as producing quality wine. The local Rossese di Dolceacqua was even the favorite drink of the emperor Napoleon. The history of the village dates back to 1151. The Doria Castle dates to the 12th century as well. Since its foundation, the castle has undergone many transformations. It has grown massively and especially in the 14th century became a rather elegant fortified residence with expensive furnishing and artistic frescoes. Unfortunately, it was partially destroyed in the 18th century during the Austrian succession war. Nowadays, the castle serves many cultural purposes, including summer performances. There are many buildings of great historical value, among which there is the San Giorgio’s church, built in the Romanesque style. There are also the remains of the Agostinian Father’s Monastery – a proof that Dolceacqua once was a religious centre as well. In the Borgo quarter, tourists may head for the oratory of San Sebastiano, which features a wooden sculpture ascribed to Maragliano. The village seems out of this world. It still retains old traditions, among which the famous Festa della Michetta is, dating back to the 16th century. Its setting seems almost kitsch in its fairytale-like character, but Dolceacqua is undoubtedly a place not to be missed for anyone visiting the area.
