One of the most beautiful villages in 'Italy can be glimpsed from afar with its houses arranged in clusters under the Lizard Castle.
The name derives from apricus, exposed to the sun, and thanks to its sunny location derives the village's good fortune, at the center of important Taggiasca olive groves and Rossese vineyards.
The perched village is part of the stone villages of the extreme western part of Liguria, founded by the Counts of Ventimiglia in a defensive position, still retains its walls intact, and entering through one of its three gates one is plunged into a maze of narrow streets and covered passages that seem to retrace the shell of a snail. All the streets lead to the medieval castle, the Lizard Castle, which built on a rocky outcrop in the 10th century by the Counts of Ventimiglia, later passed to the Doria family. It became the property of the Savoy family and finally of the local Cassini family. Today it is a venue for exhibitions, cultural events and demonstrations. The parish bell tower is the ’old square tower of the Lizard Castle in the top of which a bicycle facing upward has been fixed. Sergio Bianco's curious art installation is intended to make people think about The force of non-gravity.
Walking through the streets of the village, it seems as if you can still feel the memories of the countess of Apricale which made the local press so much talk in the late 19th century. We will retrace its steps during our guided tour.
The guided tour of Apricale is recommended for small groups and can be combined with a visit to local olive groves with tasting of local products.
It can be combined with the trek from Isolabona to Apricale
The guided tour of Apricale can be combined with:
- guided tour of Pigna e
- guided tour of Dolceacqua to complete the Nervia Valley
NB. Apricale can be reached only by 10 m bus.
