Andora Turistica
History and Culture
The sea the whole year round…
The Andora, and more generally the ligurian Riviera land, should be "explored" far beyond the usual tourist itineraries. Andora is not limited to its gold, sandy gorgeous beaches that gently lower towards a limpid and clear sea within its enchanting gulf between Capo Mele and Capo Mimosa, not to mention its beautiful tourist harbour. All this means tradition, history, but also leisure time, food, sport and nature in an atmosphere rich in flavours.
Its setting in the very heart of the Riviera, between Genoa and Montecarlo, but very close to Sanremo, Alassio, Cervo… makes it an ideal summer resort. Here a holiday can be fully enjoyed bathing, during the summer season or also cycling, MTB diving, whale watching, sailing, wind surfing, trekking in other periods of the year. Such a holiday can also meet the needs of those who just want to relax walking in the inland paths. Hotels and holidays houses are ready to welcome the tourists in a friendly homely atmosphere. You'll find numerous restaurants where to taste the delicious typical dishes of our tradition. They'll serve you oil, olives, basil, aromatic herbs, artichokes, tomatoes and the local wines, just what you need after an open-air day.
The discovery of a land…
"Andora, who looks for it does not find it ...": as an old local saying goes, to remind of a recent past when the present resort did not yet exist. The inhabitants of the valley lived in numerous little villages that are still to day the heart of the historical centre of this community. Among these villages, the most important is Castello owing to the great importance of medieval monuments preserved there, like the Paraxo, ancient feudal residence of the Clavesana marquis, and the SS. Giacomo and Filippo church dating back to late 200's (summer stage of classical music). Of a little earlier period (middle XIII century) is the adjoining Porta-Torre, though which one could reach the top. There, recently, some archaeological excavations brought to light some structures dating back to the II nd century ad. that is in the full Roman age.
Already about the year 1500, therefore, the inhabitants, following the recurring epidemics, dispersed to the other places of the valley and to the close Laigueglia, to progressively abandon the Castello village. Thus other characteristic villages were created to form to-day's rich mosaic of the numerous Andora's historical centres, each with its own story, preserving the precious monuments for you to see. Firstly, the Rollo, with its beautiful perish church and the 500's fortress, overlooking the gulf and offering a unique view; then the very ancient Colla Micheri, lying on the ridge between Andora and Laigueglia (where the well-known Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl lived), the Duomo, similar to a crib, then Conna, San Giovanni, San Pietro, San Bartolomeo and many others. The glorious past of Andora is to be approached by a visitor who is not in a hurry, but appreciates a reality to be discovered enjoying a walk through an itinerary inside a valley that smells of basil and herbs. The visitor will be rewarded by the discovery of a hidden but great historical and cultural heritage.
The Andora, and more generally the ligurian Riviera land, should be "explored" far beyond the usual tourist itineraries. Andora is not limited to its gold, sandy gorgeous beaches that gently lower towards a limpid and clear sea within its enchanting gulf between Capo Mele and Capo Mimosa, not to mention its beautiful tourist harbour. All this means tradition, history, but also leisure time, food, sport and nature in an atmosphere rich in flavours.
Its setting in the very heart of the Riviera, between Genoa and Montecarlo, but very close to Sanremo, Alassio, Cervo… makes it an ideal summer resort. Here a holiday can be fully enjoyed bathing, during the summer season or also cycling, MTB diving, whale watching, sailing, wind surfing, trekking in other periods of the year. Such a holiday can also meet the needs of those who just want to relax walking in the inland paths. Hotels and holidays houses are ready to welcome the tourists in a friendly homely atmosphere. You'll find numerous restaurants where to taste the delicious typical dishes of our tradition. They'll serve you oil, olives, basil, aromatic herbs, artichokes, tomatoes and the local wines, just what you need after an open-air day.
The discovery of a land…
"Andora, who looks for it does not find it ...": as an old local saying goes, to remind of a recent past when the present resort did not yet exist. The inhabitants of the valley lived in numerous little villages that are still to day the heart of the historical centre of this community. Among these villages, the most important is Castello owing to the great importance of medieval monuments preserved there, like the Paraxo, ancient feudal residence of the Clavesana marquis, and the SS. Giacomo and Filippo church dating back to late 200's (summer stage of classical music). Of a little earlier period (middle XIII century) is the adjoining Porta-Torre, though which one could reach the top. There, recently, some archaeological excavations brought to light some structures dating back to the II nd century ad. that is in the full Roman age.
Already about the year 1500, therefore, the inhabitants, following the recurring epidemics, dispersed to the other places of the valley and to the close Laigueglia, to progressively abandon the Castello village. Thus other characteristic villages were created to form to-day's rich mosaic of the numerous Andora's historical centres, each with its own story, preserving the precious monuments for you to see. Firstly, the Rollo, with its beautiful perish church and the 500's fortress, overlooking the gulf and offering a unique view; then the very ancient Colla Micheri, lying on the ridge between Andora and Laigueglia (where the well-known Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl lived), the Duomo, similar to a crib, then Conna, San Giovanni, San Pietro, San Bartolomeo and many others. The glorious past of Andora is to be approached by a visitor who is not in a hurry, but appreciates a reality to be discovered enjoying a walk through an itinerary inside a valley that smells of basil and herbs. The visitor will be rewarded by the discovery of a hidden but great historical and cultural heritage.
