Sant'Olcese
Welcome to Sant'Olcese, a Ligurian municipality of breathtaking landscapes
Hello! Today I'll tell you about Sant'Olcese, a Ligurian municipality of 5772 inhabitants located in the Val Polcevera, north of Genoa. The village is composed of several hamlets and small clusters of scattered houses. The town hall is located in Piccarello, in a central position in relation to the other hamlets.
The territory of Sant'Olcese includes the valley of the Sardorella stream, where the main localities are located, and that of the Comago stream (with the homonymous hamlet and the park of Villa Serra), but also extends on part of the valley of the Pernecco stream, a tributary of the Secca stream (where the village of Busalletta and the naturalistic path of Ciaè are located) and in the Bisagno valley, where the hamlet of Trensasco is located.
The natural beauty of the mountains and valleys
The landscape of Sant'Olcese is characterized by the presence of mountains, including Mount Carossino, La Sella, Mount Alpe, Mount San Michele, Mount Mezzano, Mount Butegna, Bric di Carrè, Mount Rostegasso, Mount Cassinassa, Mount Bastia, Mount Trensasco and Mount Corona.
The main watercourse is the Sardorella stream, which originates from Mount Carossino, on the Apennine watershed between the Val Polcevera and the upper Scrivia valley and flows into the Secca near Manesseno.
The most populated hamlets are located in the lower valley of the Sardorella stream. In particular, Manesseno has seen significant urban development in the 20th century thanks to its proximity to Genoa. Other hamlets include Arvigo and Piccarello, the town hall, Sant'Olcese, Vigomorasso, Torrazza, Campi, and San Lorenzo di Casanova.
The history of Sant'Olcese
Probably, Sant'Olcese had its ancient toponym of Valle Ombrosa, which was then changed to "Sant'Olcese" as a tribute to the bishop Sant'Olcese (saint) who, in the 5th century, fled to these areas due to the barbarian invasions in Gaul. His relics, found in 1155, are now preserved in the Church of Sant'Olcese, dedicated to him.
The first historical records of the village date back to 1146 and concern the parish church. The territory of Sant'Olcese then followed the historical events of Borzoli, now a district of Genoa. Later, the village passed under the ownership of the Marquises of Savona and, from 1216, belonged to the Albenga-Imperia Diocese of Oberto II who subsequently ceded the possessions to the Holy See.
In January 1367, the village was involved in the struggles between the political factions of the Republic of Genoa. During these clashes, the church was set on fire by the men of the faction headed by the Fieschi family. The church was then rebuilt in 1387.
Activities and traditions
Sant'Olcese is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, such as mountain excursions, trekking, horse riding, cycling, and mountain biking. Furthermore, the village is famous for its traditions such as the Artichoke Festival (in spring) and the Grape and Wine Fair (in autumn), where tourists can taste typical Ligurian products.
How to get there
Sant'Olcese is reachable from Genoa-Cristoforo Colombo Airport, Genoa port, and Brignole railway station. From the station, it is possible to take the 434 bus line to Piccarello, the town hall.
Conclusion
In summary, Sant'Olcese is a Ligurian municipality of breathtaking landscapes worth visiting. The village offers many outdoor activities and local traditions that attract visitors from all around the world. I hope you enjoyed this report and that you appreciated discovering a small corner of Liguria.
