Ph. cookinghamus/flickr
Colla Micheri is a medieval village set along the route of the ancient via romana Julia Augusta. This small cluster of stone houses emerges in the imagination for its extraordinary beauty and evocative charge. The village unfolds as a spider’s web of cobblestone streets that meet in the small square, where the church of St. Sebastian, with its distinctive dark red coloring, towers. From the heights of its village, there are breathtaking views of the Gulf of Laigueglia all the way to Andora, embracing the Merula valley and its coastline.
Plaque on the door of St. Sebastian Church – Ph. apricot_02/flickr
Particularly famous for being the site of choice for the famous Norwegian anthropologist and explorer Thor Heyerdahl as a residence, Colla Micheri acquired new life when he settled there in 1958. Despite the initial absence of services such as access roads, water and electricity, Heyerdahl decided to invest in the hamlet, restoring the buildings in the original style and taking care of the environmental aspect. His actions have not only preserved the architectural heritage of Colla Micheri, but have made this place one of the most picturesque villages in Italy.
Thor Heyerdahl – Ph. jelalex1978/flickr
Hiking trails from Colla Micheri
Colla Micheri is an ideal starting point for hiking and mountain biking because of the variety of scenic trails that branch off from the hamlet. These walks allow you to immerse yourself in the charms of western Liguria, amidst unspoiled nature and the region’s historical heritage. A particularly renowned route leads from Colla Micheri to Laigueglia, offering extraordinary views of the sea and surrounding hills.
Laigueglia – Ph. Tiziano L. U. Caviglia/flickr
Un’altra meta suggestiva raggiungibile attraverso questi itinerari è village of Castello di Andora which promises a plunge into the medieval past within its ancient walls. I sentieri, ben segnalati e curati, si snodano in un’area ideale sia per gli amanti della natura che per gli appassionati di storia, grazie alla presenza di elementi storici di rilievo come l’antica strada romana Julia Augusta.
Andora – Ph. Luca Ogliari/flickr
