Finalborgo is a jewel a few steps from the sea which enchants with its atmosphere of the past. Closed between medieval walls still well preserved, interspersed with semicircular towers and interrupted only at the gates, the village offers the visitor a feeling of protection and meditation.
Finalborgo, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," is a hidden gem just a stone's throw from the sea that enchants with its atmosphere of times past. Surrounded by well-preserved medieval walls, interspersed with semicircular towers and interrupted only at the gates, the Borgo di Finale (so named to distinguish it from the Marina) offers visitors a feeling of security and tranquility. Even today, one can still sense the defensive and communal conception in the perpendicular streets that create enchanting glimpses into narrow spaces. Passing through the narrow alleys, each square is an exciting and surprising experience, with wonders in "Finale stone," the slate that decorates doorways and is transformed into columns, diamonds and intricate ornaments.
The historic center of Finalborgo, also known as Burgum Fiunarii in ancient times, was the capital of the Marquisate and the administrative center of Finale for centuries. It is strategically located on the alluvial plain at the confluence of the Pora and Aquila streams.
The origin of the Borgo seems to date back to the late 12th century, at the time of the reign of Marquis Henry the One-Eyed. However, recent archaeological discoveries seem to indicate an earlier foundation of several centuries. The defensive walls (destroyed in 1448 and rebuilt in 1452) and the gates that constituted the access to the borough - Porta Reale (built in 1702 with a coat of arms of the Del Carretto family), Porta Romana, Porta Testa (from 1452) and Porta Mezzaluna (higher up towards Forte San Giovanni) - give the borough a typically fortified appearance dating back to the 15th century, after its destruction during the war with Genoa. Palaces built during the Renaissance period and modified during the period of Spanish rule help enrich the urban fabric of the Borgo.
One of Finalborgo's most beautiful jewels is the Collegiate Church of San Biagio, located at the entrance to the town through the Porta Reale. This religious building was built in the 17th century over an existing medieval church, whose late Gothic octagonal apse and bell tower are still visible. The bell tower was carved from a defensive tower and has a slight slope, adding a touch of originality and beauty. The church is a splendid example of Genoese Baroque architecture.
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To be appreciated, in addition to the history that permeates the walls of the Borgo, is the exquisite local cuisine. Two culinary souls coexist in the Finale area, like its nature, one linked to the sea and one to the mountains.
In addition to fish dishes enhanced by aromatic herbs, there are many preparations based on vegetables: borage ravioli, scorzonera ravioli, artichoke pies or the characteristic trombette zucchini and rice. Famous and delicious are the "fugassin," (fried flatbreads) and panissa.
A typical recipe from the Finale area is "chifferi," sweets made with almonds, sugar, and orange blossoms. The person who revived these traditional sweets in modern times was Benedetto Ferro, a former sailor with a passion for the art of pastry making who opened a pastry shop in Finalmarina in 1872, which is still open today. The etymon, probably of Arabic derivation (kefir = moon), stems precisely from the crescent shape given to these exquisite almond-based pastries.
The word apparently comes from the German Kipfel, a crescent-shaped pastry devised by a Viennese baker to celebrate the city's liberation from Turkish siege in 1683. A typical local crop is the pernambucco orange tree.
Local wines are vermentino, lumassina, pigato (whites), rossese and granaccia (reds). Typical products, in addition to wine: craft beer, honey, oil.
