Beverino
Beverino: a splendid municipality in the Val di Vara
Have you ever been to Beverino? This municipality, home to 2,243 residents, is located in the province of La Spezia in Liguria. The town hall is situated in the hamlet of Padivarma, but the historical main nucleus is Beverino Castello, located at an altitude of 215 m and at the confluence of the torrent Graveglia and the river Vara. Part of the municipality of Beverino is included in the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Natural Park.
The history of the municipality
Beverino is an ancient possession of the Este family and was granted as a fief to the lords of nearby Vezzano Ligure. The feudal territory of Beverino was fiercely contested, between the 11th and 13th centuries, by the Malaspina family and the episcopal power of the diocese of Luni. In 1247, the Beverino community became a municipality and joined the Republic of Genoa in 1274, retaining its local statutes.
The Genoese Republic granted Beverino the title of Podestà (medieval mayor) in 1276. The two hamlets of Corvara (Beverino) and Padivarma, however, experienced different historical events. With the new French domination of Napoleon Bonaparte, the entire Beverino territory fell under the Department of the Gulf of Venus, with the capital of La Spezia, within the Ligurian Republic from December 2, 1797. From 1815, it was incorporated into the Levante province of the Kingdom of Sardinia (1720-1861) as established by the Congress of Vienna in 1814, and subsequently in the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) from 1861. Finally, the last adjustments and settlements of the municipal territory took place in 1929 with the aggregation of the hamlet of Cavanella from the municipality of Rocchetta di Vara.
Beverino and the Val di Vara Mountain Community
From 1973 to December 31, 2008, Beverino was part of the Mountain Community of the Media and Lower Val di Vara and, with the new provisions of Regional Law no. 24 of July 4, 2008, it was part of the Val di Vara Mountain Community until 2011. This means that the municipality has been involved in many activities related to local development and the protection of the environment.
The catastrophe of 2011
On October 25, 2011, a violent storm hit the Ligurian Levante (Lower and Middle Val di Vara, Val di Magra, and Cinque Terre) and the Lunigiana (province of Massa-Carrara) causing flooding, damage, fatalities, and missing people in various locations in the Ligurian and Tuscan territories. Beverino was one of the municipalities most affected by this natural disaster. However, the territory has been able to recover and rebuild, thanks also to the efforts of its residents and local authorities.
Visiting Beverino today
Today, Beverino is a peaceful and welcoming place, perfect for spending a vacation surrounded by nature and history. In the historic center of the village, you can admire the Parish Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, built between the 17th and 18th centuries, and the Malaspina Palace, which dates back to the 17th century and was the old seat of the Municipality.
If you love hiking, the municipality of Beverino offers a wide range of hiking trails suitable for both beginners and more experienced hikers. The "Sentiero delle Acque" (Path of Waters) is particularly beautiful: a 5 km hike to discover the waterfalls of the valley of the torrent Graveglia.
Finally, you cannot miss the Cavanella Fair, a traditional event held every year in June, which offers the opportunity to taste typical Ligurian dishes and buy local products.
In conclusion, Beverino is a hidden gem in the Val di Vara, a charming place that deserves to be discovered and appreciated. Come and visit us and discover all the wonders that our land has to offer!
