Albisola Superiore between coastal art and the Ligurian hinterland

Albisola Superiore combines the ceramic art of the Ligurian coast with historic sites and the character of the hinterland. When planning your accommodation, you can choose between art by the sea, history in the town centre and routes through the countryside as the focus of your days.

Art and Ceramics by the Sea

The Passeggiata Eugenio Montale is a long art trail running along the sea. One of its striking works of art is Onda, a monumental bench approximately 120 metres long, clad in multicoloured glazed stoneware tiles. Together, these two highlights make the connection between public space, the coast and ceramics in Albisola Superiore immediately visible.

Another special feature is the Presepe degli Abissi. It consists of three life-size ceramic statues depicting the Nativity, installed in the coastal waters off Albisola Superiore and Albissola Marina. The historic centre of Albisola Capo is also located by the sea; the town was formerly a fishing village near the beach.

Historic Centre and Culture

The sightseeing route through Superiore’s historic centre includes medieval architecture, religious monuments and the ceramic art of Albisola. At Alba Docilia, visible remains of a Roman settlement from the 2nd century AD have been preserved near Albisola Superiore railway station. This means that different historical periods stand side by side in the townscape.

The parish church of San Nicolò was built at the foot of Castellaro in the 11th century and rebuilt in 1600. A short hiking trail leads from the church to Castellaro and onwards to the Santuario della Pace. Villa Gavotti was built in 1744 for Francesco Maria, the last descendant of the Della Rovere family.

The Museo Manlio Trucco is housed in the former home and studio of the painter and ceramic artist Manlio Trucco. In addition, the Scuola Comunale di Ceramica organises educational workshops for schools of all levels. This allows you to create a cultural focus for your travel plans combining local history, religious buildings, ceramics and designed public spaces.

Ellera and Routes through the Hinterland

Ellera preserves the character of an old Ligurian hinterland village. The old town consists of picturesque lanes, Caruggi and small squares decorated with ceramic art panels, forming an open-air gallery of artistic ceramics. The Ellera–Santa Maddalena–Ellera circular route passes through terraced cultivated areas, past rural buildings and through sections of Mediterranean woodland before reaching Santa Maria Maddalena.

Santa Maria Maddalena in Ellera stands on a rocky outcrop above the Sansobbia stream. Another circular route, Ellera–Bric Beia–Ellera, is 10 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 500 metres. In the areas covered, you will therefore find both a route through a cultural landscape and woodland and a hiking trail with clearly specified figures. The different routes and coastal towns give your accommodation planning two distinct directions: art and history by the sea, or landscape and village character in the Ligurian hinterland.

Other Places in the Surrounding Area

Afterwards, also discover Bormida-Genepro, Ellera, Marina di Andora, Tovo San Giacomo, Vellego, Loano, Dogli and Quiliano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Savona.