Discover the small villages of the Ligurian hinterland the easy way with a rental vehicle!
Bajardo is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque villages inland from Sanremo and the highest in the province of Imperia, at 900 metres above sea level. This village fascinates thousands of tourists every year not only for the breathtaking landscape it offers but also for the view of the Maritime Alps, and the myth that surround it. Here, in fact, several civilisations crossed paths and coexisted peacefully: Celts, Ligurians, Greeks and Iberians. Today , Bajardo today has little more than 300 people . Bajardo is famous for its vine yards , landscapes , olive and chest nut groves
A bit of history
The first nucleus of Bajardo dates to the first millennium BC. It was a place of worship for the Druids. Celtic priests erected numerous stone obelisks there, some of which are still visible today. The Celts were joined by the Ligurians around the 7th century B.C., then the Iberians and the Greeks began cultivating vines and olive trees there. The Romans only appeared in the 3rd century B.C. It was they who transformed the Druid defence system into a fortress, the original features of which can still be seen today. After the crisis of the Roman Empire, other populations, such as the Lombards and Byzantines, fought over Bajardo, which also suffered quite a few Saracen attacks. Around 1250, Bajardo became a possession of the Marquises of Clavesana. In the early 19th century, the territory was passed to the Kingdom of Sardinia but it was not until 1861 that it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. In 1887, the village was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake and 216 believers who were inside the old parish church of San Nicolò, dating back to around 1245, lost their lives. The earthquake had catastrophic consequences, it resulted in loss of lives and economic deterioration. Of the recently recovered ruins, one can see the remains of the ancient medieval castle,Roman temple columns and a Celtic stele.
Things to see
If you want to discover the Ligurian hinterland in an easy way, move around with a rented vehicle! Choose the vehicle that best suits your needs and hire it now! With this option , once you arrive in Bajardo you can leave your car or scooter and continue on foot to discover this pretty village. Near the town hall stands the new parish church of San Nicolò, built after the 1887 earthquake. Further on is the Oratory of San Salvatore and immediately afterwards the little De Sonnaz square. At the square , you will find the signs for the historic centre of Bajardo. On the top of the village, there are remains of the old parish church. You can enter inside and see what is left of the old building. From the square in front of the church you can admire a breathtaking view, the Ligurian and French coasts to the south and the Maritime Alps to the north. Another point of interest is the Blood Mill, where you can journey back into memories past . Bajardo is without a doubt a beauty.
