A journey into Finale's past

Start with a hearty energy boost: a good breakfast with the typical local focaccia. Starting outside the Walls, one enters the historical centre through the impressive Porta Testa, so called because the heads of those condemned to death were displayed there. The journey back in time continues as we stroll through the historic centre of Finalborgo, a medieval village beloved for its cobbled streets, colourful houses and timeless charm.

Passing through the small squares, we reach the Church of San Biagio, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The interior of the church is decorated with well-preserved medieval frescoes depicting religious narratives.

The history of the area goes back a long way and can be explored at the Archaeological Museum of Finale: a visit to discover the very ancient past of the Finale area, inhabited since prehistoric times. Here, you can see archaeological finds that tell the ancient history of the region from 350,000 years ago and, at the same time, visit the evocative St. Catherine's cloisters.

At the end of our tour of the Museum, we stay in the evocative setting of St. Catherine's cloisters to taste the local specialities in the restaurant " Non uno di Meno", an extraordinary example of inclusivity, which involves people with disabilities in the project.

The journey through history continues with a visit to one of the fortresses of Finale, Castel San Giovanni: reachable in five minutes on foot along the ancient Strada Beretta, the castle was built by the Spaniards in the seventeenth century and from its terraces there is a splendid view of Finalborgo, the surrounding valleys and the sea.

From military architecture to culture: an appointment at the Aycardi Theatre, an authentic jewel of 19th-century architecture in the heart of Finalborgo, built at the height of the Napoleonic and Jacobean eras. Its activities continued regularly until 1850, hosting theatre companies, operas and musical concerts organised by the Philharmonic Society and the Philharmonic Society.

We climb up the hill to Perti, to admire an enchanting panorama of the Gulf and in time for dinner in a timeless place, The Osteria of Castel Govone, a warm, rustic ambience overlooking the valley, where the best Ligurian specialities can be enjoyed.