Pignone

Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club

Located along the route that connects the Vara valley to the Cinque Terre, Pignone was once a trading settlement of pre-Roman origin. Near the river of the same name, the centre of Pignone has retained much of its medieval layout, with Piazza Marconi (the old cattle market) overlooking a 14th-century medieval loggia. Landmarks include the 14th-century parish church of St Mary of the Assumption, which houses fine paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The hamlet of Casale is interesting for its rustic architecture, a two-arch bridge and the ruins of some old fortifications. This area is known for its varied karst landscape, and you can see the caves and sinkholes along the old mule tracks. The typical local speciality is the Pignone potato and the town is also known for different varieties of beans, which you can buy and taste at "Gli orti di Pignone", a food and wine event held in August.