Pornassio
Welcome to Pornassio, a corner of Liguria between the Alps
Hello everyone! Let me introduce you to Pornassio, a beautiful municipality located in Liguria, where the green of trees blends with the blue of the sky and sea. Here you will find a community of only 645 inhabitants, but rich in history and traditions. The territory of Pornassio is located in the beautiful valley of Arroscia, a corner of Liguria where the alpine environment meets the Mediterranean one. With six scattered hamlets on a 500 m difference in height, Pornassio offers a unique experience to discover peaks, mountains, and hills.
The physical geography of Pornassio
The territory of Pornassio is located in a totally south-facing basin, with peaks over one thousand meters. Among the highest mountains, we find Monte Cosia D'Erna, Monte Bisciaire, Rocca Ferraira, Monte Ariolo, Monte Bellerasco, Poggio Possanghi, and Bric Bruciato. The beauty of the surrounding nature makes Pornassio an ideal place for those who want to enjoy breathtaking views and go hiking in the mountains. The territory of the municipality of Pornassio includes six hamlets, each with its own history and identity: Ponti, San Luigi, Villa, Castello, Nava, and Costa.
The ancient history of Pornassio
Like other towns and locations in the Arroscia valley, the territory of Pornassio also has ancient origins. Findings in the area of Ponti attest to the presence of a community during the protohistoric epochs: in 1914, the remains of a bowl and an iron chain with a bronze fibula were found near an incineration tomb dating back to the 7th century BC and now preserved in the Museum of Ligurian Archaeology.
With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, this territory was invaded by the Barbarians and subsequently dominated by the Byzantine Empire, which included this area between the high Arroscia valley and the Tanaro river in the "Provincia Maritima Italorum" in the 7th century. This was followed by the Lombard conquest of Lotharingia and the domination of the Franks with the establishment of the Albenga County, a territory in which Pornassio was also included. In the 13th century, the fief of Arroscia passed under the dominion of the Lascaris of Ventimiglia and, in particular, in the castellania of the high Arroscia valley, which had in Cosio di Arroscia its main center and Pornassio as a destination for transhumance. At this time, a fortress was built near the hamlet of Villa.
The recent history of Pornassio
In 1204, the area was affected by clashes for domination over the territory perpetrated by Genoa, which ended with a first act of loyalty in the hands of the Genoese podestà, the Milanese Guiffredotto Grassello. Subsequently, there were new agreements for the contested spaces in the locality of Alpi di Döwa between the communities of Pornassio, Ottano, Cosio di Arroscia, Mendatica, and Montegrosso Pian Latte. During World War II, Pornassio was a place of refuge for displaced persons and lookouts of the Allied aviation present during the conflict.
The traditions of Pornassio
The Pornassina community is proud of its traditions. Among the most important festivals, we find the Feast of Madonna del Carmine in San Luigi, the Feast of San Rocco in Ponti, the Feast of Sant'Anna in Villa, and the Lasagna Festival in Nava. On these occasions, there are dances, games, and culinary delights, such as walnut pesto lasagna.
Tourist package
If you want to spend a holiday in Pornassio and enjoy the beauty of Liguria with a hint of mountain, there are many activities to do. Among the recommended hikes, we find the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trail, the walk in the Marguareis Natural Park, and the visit to the Reinero and San Luigi farms. You can also taste the delicious extra virgin olive oil of the area produced by the San Luigi Agricultural Cooperative. We are waiting for you in Pornassio for your next adventure!
