On 20 and 21 September 2025, the Oltregiogo Days event returns, a special weekend to rediscover the charm of the Ligurian hinterland. Five municipalities — Isola del Cantone, Ronco Scrivia, Busalla, Vobbia and Crocefieschi — will open their most precious treasures to the public, offering free tours with guides from the Oltregiogo Association.
Isola del Cantone
Museo Alta Valle Scrivia
In the heart of the Upper Scrivia Valley, inside the historic Palazzo Marchionale Spinola in Isola del Cantone, stands the Upper Scrivia Valley Archaeological Museum (MAAVS). This treasure trove of history and culture offers an extraordinary window onto the past, housing artefacts that recount a fascinating journey from prehistory to the present day. The MAAVS is not just a museum, but a constantly evolving laboratory, a cultural centre that interacts with the community and a meeting place where past and present intertwine.
A group of young professionals specialising in cultural heritage promotion has breathed new life into the museum. Thanks to their commitment, the museum is now a collective project that grows alongside the community that inhabits it: a living space that stimulates curiosity, creates bonds and offers new perspectives on the heritage of the Upper Scrivia Valley.
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, 20 September, at the Oratorio del Santissimo Sacramento, there will be an “aperistoria” entitled AperiZena: from Genoese to the dialects of Oltregiogo.
L’incontro sarà guidato da Stefano Lusito, dottore di ricerca in linguistica e specialista dei dialetti liguri, che affronterà questi temi in modo semplice e accessibile a tutti.
Ronco Scrivia
Castello Spinola
The Castle of Borgo Fornari, now part of Ronco Scrivia, was built in the 12th century to guard the Scrivia Valley and became the residence of the Spinola family in the following century. It still retains its imposing tower and medieval walls. Open to the public after conservative restoration, it offers an evocative journey through history and nature: crossing the woods, you reach the top, where the panorama offers a splendid view of the Ligurian hills. Inside the castle, on the other hand, you can take a journey into everyday life in the Middle Ages.
Davidson Villa
Villa Davidson stands in an elevated position above the village of Borgo Fornari and is an example of an Art Nouveau residence with a typically English appearance. Designed at the beginning of the 20th century by architect Gino Coppedè on behalf of the Davidson family as a summer residence, the villa is surrounded by a large wooded park and offers extensive views over the valley. Inside, it still retains many of its original furnishings, making a visit a unique experience.
Busalla
Borzino Villa
Designed in 1919 by architect Giuseppe Crosa di Vergagni for the Honourable Emilio Borzino, this villa recalls the style of 16th-century Genoese noble buildings. The building, with its rectangular layout and façade embellished with trompe-l’œil decorations, houses over fifty elegantly decorated rooms, including a library, study and loggia. The interiors are embellished with refined details, such as the study’s fireplace with 16th-century Sevillian azulejos. The surrounding garden offers tree-lined avenues and an octagonal nymphaeum inspired by historic Genoese caves, creating a romantic and evocative atmosphere.
Church of St. George
The Church of San Giorgio in Busalla, built in the 17th century, is one of the main historical and artistic landmarks in the town centre. Consecrated in 1605, the church was enlarged in 1828 and renovated in 1903, maintaining its three-nave structure intact. Inside the building, there are several important works of art, including some paintings attributed to Giovanni Battista Carlone.
Vobbia
Castle of Pietra
Perched in a spectacular position between two imposing rock towers, Castello della Pietra is one of the most evocative fortresses in Liguria. Built in the Middle Ages, probably around the year 1000, it served a defensive and territorial control function, being located in a strategic position on the routes connecting the Ligurian coast and the hinterland. Accessible only on foot via two hiking trails, one easier and one more challenging, inside you can visit areas such as cisterns, walkways and rooms carved into the rock. The tours, organised by the Antola Park, allow you to immerse yourself in the life of a medieval fortified manor and admire breathtaking views of the valley.
Church of Our Lady of Grace
Located in a panoramic position on a hill overlooking the Vobbia River and surrounded by peaceful woods, the building’s origins may date back to before 1641, while the current structure was built between 1733 and 1735. Inside, there is a precious wooden statue of the Madonna, attributed to the famous Genoese sculptor Anton Maria Maragliano.
Torrigino Butcher’s Shop
The Torrigino Butcher’s Shop, also known as the smallest butcher’s shop in Europe, is a true symbol of the historic centre of Vobbia. Run with passion by Gianni, it is renowned above all for its ‘mostardella’, a beef salami born from local farming tradition. A simple product, linked to the culture of the area, which over time has become the emblem of the shop.
Oratory of the Holy Trinity
Oratory of the Holy Trinity During the event, volunteers will keep the Oratory of the Holy Trinity in Vobbia open, which can be visited freely without booking. The building, known since the 17th century, has been home to the Confraternity of the Holy Trinity and Our Lady of Mercy since the 18th century, which is involved in charitable works and the redemption of Christian slaves. Since 1997, the oratory has been restored and included in the Historical Museum of the Upper Scrivia Valley.
Crocefieschi
Historic centre and Church of Santa Croce
For this event, we propose an itinerary that will begin with a walk through the historic centre of Crocefieschi, located on the ridge between the valleys of the Seminella and Vobbia streams. The itinerary will allow you to admire some of the most significant places in the village and the architectural details typical of the Ligurian hinterland.
The tour will conclude at the Parish Church of Santa Croce, built between 1578 and 1579, consecrated in 1585 and restored in 1596. The church has a façade with three portals that preserve noble coats of arms and signs of 18th- and 20th-century interventions. The interior, with three naves, was decorated by Rodolfo Gambini between 1908 and 1910, and houses valuable altars and side chapels. Of particular note are the high altar from 1723, the wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception by Anton Maria Maragliano, the Madonna del Rosario and the altar of the Crucifix, linked to the Fieschi family.