The village on a hill once known as "Castrum Diani" has a thousand-year history. Founded by the coastal inhabitants fleeing from Saracen invaders, Diano Castello became the heart of the feudal estate of the Clavesana family and also remained the most important centre in the territory under Genoese dominion. Matteo Vinzoni's eighteenth-century description illustrates a town surrounded by a wall with four gates, the remains of which can still be seen.
When you stand outside the parish church of San Nicolò di Bari you have a view over the surrounding hills and the sea. The church dates from the Baroque period and was built according to a plan by Giambattista Marvaldi in 1699: it has a tiled altar and preserves a crucifix by Maragliano and an eighteenth-century wooden choir.
The Romanesque church of San Giovanni Battista has a very unusual truss-beam covering with elegant decorations; nearby stands the late-mediaeval oratory of Santa Croce and San Bernardino, which was restored during the Baroque period. Other religious buildings well worth visiting are the Romanesque church of the Assunta with fifteenth-century fresco work and the austere Franciscan monastery (sixteenth century). At the foot of the hill, in the village of Varcavello (from the Celtic word "havelod", meaning "to consecrate") you can admire the fountain and the altar piece by Ramoino in the oratory of San Mauro.
Leisure time is spent between sport (elastic ball, bowling, go-karting) and festivals. The San Martino Fair, where you can find antiques and local products, is followed by a bonfire festival which celebrates the end of the cold days. During the festival of the local patron saint, San Nicolò, there are handicraft exhibitions and theatrical entertainments, while if you wish to taste the food and wine specialities of the Western Riviera there is a special annual gathering that awards a prize to the best Vermentino wine. Like Taggia olive oil, Vermentino wine is produced locally on the terracings that slope down towards the sea, where there is an abundance of centuries-old olive trees, vineyards and palm trees.
Rentals
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Property
Casa Diano Castello, Diano Castello, up to 4 persons,
about 2 km from sea, about 5 mins from sea*, balcony, parking lot, 2 bedroom(s), sea view, on a slope, small garden, terrace, Sat/TV,
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NEW! Casa Monterosso, Diano Castello, up to 5 persons,
about 2 km from sea, about 5 mins from sea*, balcony, garden, parking lot, air conditioning, washing machine, sea view, panoramic view, terrace, Barbecue allowed, Sat/TV, DVD,
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Villa Forcheri, Diano Castello, up to 4 persons,
about 3 km from sea, about 5 mins from sea*, balcony, air conditioning, washing machine, dishwasher, fire place, sea view, Sat/TV,
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NEW! Casetta San Mauro, Diano Castello, up to 4 persons,
about 2 km from sea, about 5 mins from sea*, garden, 2 bedroom(s), washing machine, TV,
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Casetta Varcavello, Diano Castello (Varcavello), up to 3 persons,
about 2 km from sea, about 5 mins from sea*, 1 bedroom(s), washing machine, sea view, on a slope, panoramic view, terrace, Sat/TV,
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Restaurants
Girasole, Pizza, Meat, wood-fired oven pizza, children welcome, terrace, dogs allowed, airconditioning, baby's high chair, parking space, German, English, ... more
L'Osteria di Castello, Fish, Pizza, Meat, Pasta, vegetarian dishes, wine list, wood-fired oven pizza, children welcome, terrace, dogs allowed, ... more
Sottovento, Fish, Meat, Pasta, Homemade Pasta, vegetarian dishes, wine list, game, dish for children/seniors, children welcome, handicapped accessible, terrace, dogs allowed, airconditioning, parking space, ... more
Up to 300 sunny days. Liguria has a mild climate throughout the year, with low precipitation. The Rivera of Flowers is a region with the most hours of sun a year.
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