Cervo Ligure

Cervo is one of the most beautiful tourist towns in the Riviera dei Fiori. It hosts the renowned International Chamber Music Festival and other musical events and is certified as one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, a recognition it obtained because of the extremely original characteristics of a medieval village by the sea. Taking a stroll through the historic town centre of Cervo is like taking a plunge into history.
The town is dominated by the scenographic and majestic parish church of San Giovanni Battista, one of the most important examples of baroque architecture in Liguria. It was built by the townspeople thanks to the riches obtained from fishing and coral trading and during the summer, the church (with notable 18th century internal stuccoes) becomes the backdrop for the Music Festival which takes place in its courtyard.
At the top of the village we find the Clavesana castle anchored to sheer rock, whose walkways and archers’ slits still evidence its military origin, notwithstanding the renovations it has undergone. The Ethnographic Museum of West Liguria is located here. Cervo can only be visited on foot, and proudly displays its walls, monuments, ancient palaces, alleys and small piazzas. Sea enthusiasts will find small coves hidden by rocks at the foot of the town, which offer a peaceful and pleasant refuge to swimmers.