Liguria: Loano & Toirano

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Toirano is an enchanting medieval town with stone walls, towers, moats, gates, loggias, bridges and the Varatella River. However, most people come here for an extra unbelievable sight The Grotte di Toirano (caverns and caves). These caves contain relics from the Paleolithic era. Toirano’s grottoes lie in the Varatella Valley. The tour of the grottoes starts at the Grotta della Basura (also know as the Witch’s Grotto) where the most important finds have been made: our own ancestry! Imprints of hands and feet! Also here are animal paw prints, teeth, bones and so much more. The Grotta di Santa Lucia is the sight of a 15^th century sanctuary that was carved in to the rock. The amazing yellow and gray rock formations (stalactites and stalagmites) are a sight to behold. The Museo Preistorico della Val Varatella "N. Lamboglia" is at the entrance to the grotto and has artifacts from the grottoes you’ll be touring. When you head back to town, make sure you check out the Chiesa di San Martino with its crenellated bell tower.

Loano is a beach town (a really long beach town) — it’s located between Genoa and Monte Carlo — an ancient fishing village. In the east is an active port and just parallel to the beach at the edge of the sea is the Via Garibaldi (called such in memory of the mother of Garibaldi — Rosa Raimondi — a local). The Via Garibaldi offers wonderful strolls — a promenade (palms, flowers and the sea — does it get any better?). The more modern area of town (along the promenade) has cafes, galleries, shops and nightlife. While the arches and short alleys link the sea with the old town and historic center. In the old town there are Romanesque bridges and walls, medieval squares — it’s really very lovely. The old town (which is very well preserved) also has a 16^th century palace/palazzo called the Doria (today it is the Palazzo Comunale/town hall). You have to go inside to see the mosaic (3^rd century) pavement. Across the piazza is the Chiesa di San Giovanni (17^th century) with a copper dome and some fine paintings. The Chiesa della Misericordia (today a convent of Augustinian Fathers) has some 15^th century treasures/paintings — it’s a virtual gallery. The Borgo Castello is the real citta vecchia (old town — roots to the 7^th century). The castle is at the center and the town surrounds it. The Dorias fortified this section of town in the 13^th century and came back in to power in the 16^th century at which time they added to and embellished the buildings in this area. The villas and palazzi are very lovely — strolling is key. The Dorias also founded the Carmelite convent (Monte Carmelo) which is set in the hills and holds the tombs of the Doria family. The beautiful/ornate Baroque bell tower of the Oratorio dei Bianchi and clock tower/Torre dell’Orologio date to the 18^th century. And if you have time, check out the 11^th century Chiesa di Santi Cosma e Damiano (in the town of S. Damiano).