Santo Stefano d'Aveto in Italy | Province of Genoa, Liguria
Enjoy walking in the Ligurian hinterland during your stay in Liguria, Italy.
Santo Stefano d Aveto
This is a medieval village in a beautiful mountain region
Come and discover the numerous ski slopes in winter and wonderful foot paths in summer
Travel tips
The Santo Stefano Parish Church is worth seeing. The church contains a valuable painting from 1804.
The Santa Maria Assunta Parish Church is a very old church dating from 1287. It contains an old baptismal font and an artistically decorated fresco that represents the baptism of Jesus.
A bridge from the early 19th Century, leading to a single arch over the Gramzizza stream, is also worth a visit. A Roman intersection is said to have formerly been located at this point.
The ancient castles, such as the Castle of Santo Stefano d'Aveto, the ruins of the castle Della Cella di Caselle di Allegrezze as well as the ruins of the Tower between Castela fra Pievetta e Campomenoso are very interesting and worth seeing.
One can also go and tour the Malaspina Fieschi Doria, an ancient fortress from the 12th century, and one of the most interesting fortresses in Liguria.
There is a festival called the "Transumanza" in October every year. The festival takes place on the Santo Stefano streets and is closely linked to the agricultural and cultural tradition of the village and the Aveto valley.
Sports fans will also get their money's worth. In winter, the ski slopes and cross-country skiing lure people, in summer you can explore numerous hiking and mountain bike trails and thereby enjoy the beautiful nature.
History
This locality was probably first occupied by people during prehistoric times, and it soon became an important centre in the Val d'Aveto, since the village is strategically and geographically conveniently located. One of the last battles of the Roman Empire against the Ligurians was fought in the area around Santo Stefano d Aveto.
The area was under the rule of the monks of San Colombano. Santo Stefano was handed over to Malaspina by Frederick Barbarossa in the 12th Century. The village and the region were equipped with numerous fortifications and defence strongholds.
Santo Stefano was incorporated into the Republic of Genoa in the 16th Century. There was dissatisfaction in the region during the rule of the Genoa family, and there was a popular uprising in 1776, however it was violently suppressed. The family continued to rule until 1797.
Santo Stefano was incorporated into the Ligurian Republic in 1798 after the fall of the Republic of Genoa. Santo Stefano became part of the First French Empire in 1805. It became part of the Italian Kingdom In 1861. Santo Stefano was part of the Mountain Community of Valli Aveto from 1973 to 2011.
How to reach
Santo Stefano d Aveto is a village in the province of Genoa located in the Liguria region. There are several other villages near Santo Stefano d Aveto like: Gavadi (6.9 km), Amborzasco (7.3 km) and Rezzoaglio (7.7 km). Take the highway exit to Chiavari when coming from Genua, and then take the SS586 past Belpiano and Cabanne until you get to Santo Stefano d Aveto.
