San Biagio della Cima

This rural town is set among the vineyards, olive groves and the fields of cultivated roses that are typical of the Crosia Valley. It is situated in a panoramic position on the ridge that runs down from the Nervia Valley eastwards as far as Sanremo. Its name derives from the sandstone face of Monte Santa Croce that overlooks the town because the ruins of an ancient chapel dedicated to San Biagio can be found on the summit.

It belonged to the Ventimiglia nobility until 1686, when it broke from free to form part of the "Free Community of the Eight Localities" together with other neighbouring towns. The parish church of Santi Sebastiano e Fabiano stands in a charming little square: it is built to an elliptical design and dates from 1777. The interior preserves an eighteenth-century processional box showing Saint Sebastian.

The town is known for the production of Rossese superior wine, which is the perfect accompaniment for the "canestrelli" biscuits made there during the summer patron saint's festival dedicated to San Sinforiano. You can make some interesting excursions from San Biagio della Cima to the surrounding high country, where you can enjoy some unforgettable views over the Ligurian Alps and the sea: in particular Monte Croce and Monte Bellavista offer some walks that are not too demanding but are of great naturalistic interest.