Marta: Church History, Landscape and Trails

Marta combines church-historical connections, an ancient site in the surrounding area, and trails through the landscape. The hamlet includes the Santa Marta Oratory, the church dedicated to Saint Martha with its bell tower, several walking routes, and a cycling tour. The routes stretch from Monte Pisciavino to the riverbank and pass through areas with dry-stone walls and olive terraces. As a result, historic sites, hillside locations, and different trail surfaces come together in the area around the hamlet.

Church History and Bell Tower

In 1632, the Santa Marta Oratory was part of the Santo Stefano parish. The history of Marta can be traced back to 1153 in the area surrounding today’s hamlet.

The bell tower of the church dedicated to Saint Martha is a defining element of the landscape. Due to the church’s elevated position, it stands out particularly along the hillside village. For viewing the village landscape, the tower, the church’s location, and the hillside setting belong together.

Ancient Site in the Surrounding Area

The ancient site “Funerary Monuments of Iulia Augusta Road” is located in the area around Marta. The ancient site is situated around Marta; the Santa Marta Oratory and the church dedicated to Saint Martha are present in the hamlet as church-historical points of reference.

Cycling Tour via Monte Pisciavino and the Riverbank

A cycling tour climbs to the 600-metre-high Monte Pisciavino and then descends on a singletrack to the hamlet of Marta. The ascent and the subsequent descent form two distinct sections of the route.

From the Marta cemetery, the cycling tour continues along another singletrack and a gravel road to the riverbank. The change from the singletrack to the gravel road divides the onward route to the riverbank into two different surfaces.

When choosing equipment for the cycling tour, the combination of two singletrack sections followed by the gravel road should be taken into account.

Hiking Trails with Different Routes

Several routes also lead to Marta on foot. The Villanova d'Albenga–Albenga hiking route climbs from the Nostra Signora delle Grazie Sanctuary to the hamlet of Marta. After Marta, the route follows the gas pipeline corridor to the provincial road to Testico.

Another route is the Torre Pisana–Garlenda circular hike. It reaches Marta via paths between dry-stone walls and olive terraces. From the church in Marta, this circular hike descends on a paved road towards San Rocco. Along this route, the surface changes from paths between walls and terraces to asphalt.

After the ascent, one route follows the gas pipeline corridor to the provincial road; the other reaches Marta between dry-stone walls and olive terraces and then descends on asphalt. When planning the day, these changes in direction and surface can be considered separately.

Christmas Displays in the Hamlet

A nativity scene was created at the Marta hamlet’s recreational club. At the Marta hamlet’s recreation centre, religious displays and workshops for children were held as part of a local Christmas presentation.

To the main travel overview: Villanova D'albenga.