Here's the download on this seriously off the beaten path secluded hippie artist village:…read moreDating back to as early as the second half of the ninth century, this little village has been operating autonomously, sans the government of Genoa, since as early as 1429. An earthquake in 1887 led to a series of eviction orders by the police and the tiny city remained in ruins until the mid 20th century when Italian immigrants began to illegally settle. Following the artistic revolution of the 1960's, a small group of international artists claimed the village and began to rebuild the destruction out of the original materials and remains of the ruins, despite the police eviction order. When the Italian authorities arrived at the village to enforce the order, they faced a rowdy group of angry artists and international media representatives. They backed off, and the village has been in the hands of these open minded crafters ever since.
We enjoyed glasses of wine, a plate of parma, and fresh vegetables for a seriously low cost (say 11 euros total) aperitivo as we simultaneous took in the expansive view of lush green hills rolling down to the Italian Riviera. The local artisans sat and talked in groups at the tables, and also on blankets out in the nearby field. Conversation, smoking and drinking wine seem to be the modus operandi during the evenings here, and they are in no hurry to serve you or anyone else.
Please, be respectful and don't come with a touristic attitude.
