Altitude: 966 m a.s.l.

Area:  17 sq km

Distance from Imperia: 14 km

Inhabitants: in 1881: 719 - in 2017: 139

Patron Saint Day: August 15th - Santa Maria Assunta

Information: Municipality phone 0182 78042

In addition to Zuccarello, still towards the north, Val Neva climbs up in an increasingly mountainous landscape, where green is the dominant color and the sea, although near, has disappeared from the view.

At a crossroads, the castle of Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena indicates the detour on the right along some steep bends.

Past a small abandoned and ruined village in the bush beside the road, Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena appears almost suddenly.

Visit of the town

Perched on the limestone cliffs of Rocca Barbena (1142 m), Castelvecchio is a walled village that has remained intact since the Middle Ages.

To capture all the beauty of this village it is necessary to wander among its paved "carruggi" (alleyways), pass under stone vaults and arches, peek at the collection of arts and crafts tools of the “Museo del Melo” on Via Roma, descend to the “piazza delle erbe” (square of herbs) and observe the cluster of buildings, in brownish-gray stone, which rise towards the castle. Then admire the labyrinth of roofs and terraces from above.

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena is part of the association "Most beautiful villages in Italy" which brings together some places of artistic and environmental value, of limited population and with well-kept street furniture.

Moreover, it is included in the Cultural Park dedicated to Ilaria Del Carretto, and during summers it hosts in the tower square musical evenings, games and gastronomic events.

Continue east to Balestrino.