Hinterland Villages
Jun 5th, 2007 by riviera
Balestrino
Nestled in the hills of the close hinterland of Loano and Toirano , lies the medieval village Balestrio , dominated by its large castle .
The village has about 550 inhabitants and another 100 holiday home owners , coming here mainly in summer or at Easter to spend their vacation .
Balestrino is a lively village with several shops and restaurants , a bar and gelateria ( ice cream) , post office and pharmacy . Surrounded by hundreds of ever green olive groves , you always have the impression of being in spring or summer .
How to get there: From SS1 Aurelia, at Borghetto S. Spirito (exit at Albenga or Pietra Ligure Highway A10 Genoa-Ventimiglia) continue along the road for Toirano, therefore Balestrino. You can also reach the town by Albenga – Via Ciasano sul Neva and Castelvecchio.
The location of the town is most picturesque and offers many lovely views from the valley , the village and the sea .
The castle , which dates back to the 16th century , is surrounded by the eldest part of Balestrino and has been a film location for the newest fantasy novel by the German youth author Cornelia Funke . The film is expected to be shown in cinema this winter .
The Castello Fortezza enclosed in the castle walls was widened many times throughout the centuries and in 1886 it was transformed. The rounded off corners give a more delicate aspect to the austere building that has a powerful dominating position. Nothing can escape from the cupola covered watch towers. The Church of St. Giorgio that has been recently restored, has many precious 14th century frescos.
The castle belongs to the family of the last “Conte di Carretto” which was a noble family who had their summer residence in Balestrino . Far relatives who inherited the castle , come to spend their summer holidays here but unfortunately do not agree that the castle can be visited by the public .
The Church of St. Andrea and the new Parish Church al Poggio are the most representative religious structures as well as the Sanctuary of Mounte Croce. History, culture, and poetry surround the legendary town of Balestrino. Among the silence of nature you can admire the beautiful town of Balestrino that seems to have ghosts of the past.
Most of the houses in Balestrino are old stone buildings , so called rusticos , built one attached to the other with 1 m thick walls and beautiful vaulted ceilings from the inside .
Watch a slide show fromBalestrino
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