Ceriana

Ceriana is a medieval village inland from Sanremo in the province of Imperia. The village lies in the Armea River Valley, surrounded by the mountains of the Ligurian Apennines, and is the gateway to the Ghimbegna Pass crossroads.

Founded in Roman times as castrum Coelianae, Ceriana was built to be a military garrison hidden in the mountains with a watchtower and permanent housing for legionaries. In the Middle Ages between the 11th and 12th centuries the village grew larger and palaces and churches were built while streets were made in concentric rings. This conformation made the village impregnable even for the ferocious Saracen pirates.

Today Ceriana is still a maze of carruggi perched around a mountain, a village suspended between past and present that attracts tourists from all over the world.

What to see in Ceriana
The village of Ceriana is a magical place that will immerse you in the history and culture of Liguria. The real pride of Ceriana are its Churches and four Oratories, the seats of the centuries-old confraternities that still today participate in community life and animate the village's civil and religious festivals.

The Parish Church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is a masterpiece of Baroque art, with its imposing facade and interiors decorated with stucco, frescoes and fine paintings. A single nave is enriched with 16th-century canvases such as "Saint Peter in the Chair" by an unknown author and "Saint Catherine among Saints Apollonia and Mary Magdalene" by Francesco Brea.

The Old Church or Church of the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, dating from between the 11th and 12th centuries, is an example of Romanesque architecture. Adjacent to the building is the Oratory of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

The four Oratories of St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Martha's, the Oratory of Our Lady of the Visitation, and the Church of St. Andrew (with its civic tower overlooking the village), are enough to trace along the streets of the village an artistic itinerary of value and sure evocative impact.

The early Christian Church of St. Andrew is home to the 6th-century Oratory of the Compagnia dei Neri della Misericordia. Built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo as evidenced by the sandstone columns dividing the aisles, inside the basilica the walls are decorated with the various stages of the Stations of the Cross, a work by the painter Canepa from 1828, but the most valuable element is a 17th-century canvas depicting the Martyrdom of St. Andrew.

The works of art preserved within these sacred buildings bear witness to the great popular devotion that has developed over the centuries.

In the center of the village stands out the Palazzo dei conti Roverizio di Roccasterone, an 18th-century mansion with a rectangular layout that, thanks to its grandeur, stands out among the houses and monuments in the lower part of the village. The splendid loggia, with vaulted ceilings and sandstone columns, is the heart of the palace, which is best remembered for the frescoes of witches painted on the walls of the second floor. The Baroque masks, plasterwork and stones expertly carved by local artisans defy the ravages of time and hint at the palace's wealth.

Another palace to admire is Palazzo Rubini located on Corso Italia. It was built in the last decade of the 19th century on the town's main street, and is now in excellent condition and home to public institutions.
In short, visiting Ceriana is a great discovery, and the noble palaces and the Baroque and Romanesque churches are custodians of the history of the people of Ceriana.

But Borgo di Ceriana is not only art and religion. Here you can enjoy true Ligurian cuisine, with its genuine flavors and traditional recipes. For nature lovers, not to be missed is the opportunity to explore the paths that crisscross the surrounding hills, among forests of centuries-old holm oaks and chestnut trees.

Visit Ceriana at any time of the year
During Holy Week Ceriana experiences ancient rituals and traditions. On Holy Thursday in the village the sound of horns carved from chestnut bark can be heard while in the evening religious songs are heard and there is the traditional "Lord's Supper." The following day the confraternities parade through the streets of the center in traditional dress, and in the square people enjoy frisciöi, the typical sweet pancakes of Genoese origin.

On June 29 for the anniversary of the two patron saints Peter and Paul, Ceriana celebrates with religious celebrations, concerts and markets with local products. The village comes alive with tourists, and every year with the municipal administration social organizations, volunteer groups and the confraternities also participate in the events.

At the end of August the village promotes its most famous gastronomic product, sausage. The pure pork "Sousissa" is flavored with different spices, and the secret recipes jealously guarded by the cerianaschi, are the focus of culinary competitions.

On the fourth Sunday in October, the "Festa de Rustìe," the chestnut festival, is celebrated, and stalls are set up in the village with chestnut specialties such as classic roasted chestnuts, as well as special pancakes and chestnut beer. Local singers gather at different points in the center and sing traditional songs.

Among the most interesting routes especially in spring and autumn is the walk among the olive trees, a walk that takes hiking enthusiasts to discover centuries-old olive trees. The route has no particular difficulty so it attracts many participants.