The Corvara and Bracelli history, in the heart of Val di Vara and Cinque Terre

A little bit of history...: Corvara

Ten centuries constitute the story of this village: in fact, the Corvara castle is mentioned in 1077 in a document written by Arrigo IV. In witness of the strategic place, the castle was an important residence of podesta of the Oriental Liguria during twelfth century; stronghold of the Estensi family and, then, of the marquis Malaspina, later of the Fieschi family, the castel is mentioned again in 1273, during the expedition of Oberto Doria versus La Spezia.
In 1365 the village knows the same destinity as the one of its province: Liguria is invaded by the Visconti troups, and Corvara is also occupied.

Corvara was a village very populated: during the second crusade, Corvara supplied Genoa Republic, to man galleys, hundred men, as made by an important center as Chiavari. To give an idea of the proportions, Levanto supplied only 20 men and Portovenere 26.

Today, rare are the remains of the important medieval center: two solid tower-houses and a falling wall, unique vestige of the castle, as well as the aqueduct.

You should visit the S. Michele Arcangelo church, built in the thirteenth century: on the bell-tower is placed an animal head.

Coming back to the time being and looking towards future, it has been decided to built a residential structure with the agreement of the “Belle Arti” in the complete respect of the antique topography and landscape".

A little bit of history...: Beverino

Founded in the eleventh century by the Estensi, Beverino is a charming village with a past rich of story, as demonstrated by the vestiges of the old castle and of the walls with the majestic door.

On the tract of Aurelia from Borghetto in direction of Padivarma is situated the so-called "Fontana del Papa", Pope fountain, because, as the story goes, Pope VII made a halt in this place while travelling to France. Still on Aurelia road, in direction of Pignone, you’ll find a cross-road for Corvara where is ubicated the “Santuario della Madonna del Trezzo”, with its fresco of “Madonna con Bambino”, dated 1586, together with Santa Lucia and Santa Apollonia.

Making also part of Beverino district is Bracelli, other jewel completely immerged in the green and made precious by the past dominion of the Bishops of Luni: you should visit “Palazzo Ravaschieri”, a luxury palace from eighteenth century.