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Castles and Villas

Priamàr di Savona

The Priamar is recognised as one of the most impressive fortifications overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and is a hub for art and culture. Just a few of the attractions you’ll find inside the Priamar are the Civic Archaeological and City Museum, Sandro Pertini and Renata Cuneo Museum, temporary exhibitions, workshops and artistic performances, events and weddings, conference centre and artisan workshops and even as open-air cinema in summer.

Fort San Giovanni di Finalborgo

Forte San Giovanni is an ancient fortification overlooking the Ligurian town. The building, constructed by the Spaniards in the mid 17th century and later enlarged, has a spectacular shape that fits in well with the hillside.

Fortress of Castelfranco di Finale

The Fort of Castelfranco dates back to the second half of the 14th century and has undergone alternating phases of destruction, reconstruction, enlargement and downsizing over the centuries. Today, it is laid out in a star-shaped plan, in close contact with the built-up area in the centre of Finale at about 26 metres above sea level. In the 1600s, the Spanish made the fort the mainstay of their defence system. Under the Kingdom of Sardinia, it was used first as a prison, then as an infirmary. Since 1938, Castelfranco has been owned by the municipality of Finale Ligure and is now a venue for events and weddings.

Castel Govone di Finale

Castel Govone was the seat of the Marchesi del Carretto. It is believed to have been built in 1181 and was later destroyed several times in the wars that pitted Finale against Genoa. In later constructions and destructions, part of the side walls and the Diamond Tower were spared, today this is the best preserved structure and an example of late medieval military architecture.

Monte Ursino Castle in Noli

The Castle of Monte Ursino stands in a dominant position on a hill defending the historic centre of Noli. The fortification reached its present form around the 15th century due to works carried out by the Del Carretto family, feudal lords of Noli. The castle was built to control both the sea and the coast and consisted of a high cylindrical tower surrounded by massive walls and accommodation for troops. Two walled perimeters descended from this main core, most of which are still preserved today. They embraced the entire hillside and later included the settlement in the valley.

The Castle of Pietra Ligure

The ‘stone’ that gives the municipality its name is the rock outcrop above the castle that can still be seen in Pietra Ligure today. The first fortification of the rock dates back to the first Barbarian and Saracen invasions to control trade and the passage of armies, since the main Roman roads, the Via Aurelia and the Via Julia Augusta, passed through the castle. Today the castle is a National Monument but privately owned.

Villa Faraggiana in Albissola Marina

Villa Faraggiana is an 18th-century example of a Ligurian aristocratic holiday residence. The Villa remained Durazzo property until 1821, when it was sold to the Ligurian aristocrats Faraggiana, who moved to Novara around the middle of the 19th century. The last owner, Alessandro Faraggiana, a direct descendant of the family, was born in 1876 and died without heirs in Albissola Marina. He then bequeathed the Villa and a large estate to the Novara municipality. Subsequently, the Villa was opened to the public and today it can be visited and is a venue for events and weddings.

Villa Gavotti in Albisola Superiore

Villa Gavotti is one of the most beautiful 18th century Italian villas and an example of the so-called ‘Genoese Baroque’ style. It was built in 1744 by Francesco Maria, Doge of Genoa and last descendant of the Della Rovere family. From these it passed to the Marquises Gavotti which is where it acquired its name. The villa, with its garden and terraces, has several Carrara marble statues, frescoed interiors and an artificial grotto built with material from the Bergeggi caves.

Villa Pergola in Alassio

In 2022, the Villa Pergola Gardens were awarded the title ‘Most Beautiful Park in Italy’. Villa Pergola, in fact, houses a 22,000 m² botanical garden overlooking the sea. A unique opportunity to appreciate typical Mediterranean vegetation together with rare plants of exotic flora. During the flowering season, you can take a guided tour to discover the flower varieties and participate in events and workshops.

Villa Cambiaso in Savona

Villa Cambiaso is a historic residence registered as an Italian monumental property. The first documentation dates back to the 16th century, when the house, with a chapel inside, was owned by Ambrogio Ferrero. In the 18th century, the Villa was owned by the Spinola family and, in 1796, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed there before the Battle of Montenotte. In around 1800, ownership of the building passed to Paolo Vincenzo Agostino Colonna. The early 19th century saw the villa at the centre of events related to Pius VII’s imprisonment in Savona. It was the Pope himself who donated the fountain that still graces the entrance hall today. In 1842, the Villa passed from the Colonna family to the Cambiaso family. Villa Cambiaso can be visited and is a location for weddings, conferences and events.

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