There is a Ligurian town here, which does not overlook the sea, but is unique because it hosts dozens of caves and natural cavities on its territory. The most famous are the Basura Caves (trash meaning “witch” in the local dialect) and Santa Lucia Inferiore. The village is located in the province of Savona and is Toirano, not far from the town where there are other famous Ligurian caves, namely Borgio Verezzi. Located in the interior of Val Varatella, along the stream of the same name, it still has a well-maintained medieval center where it is wonderful to walk around exploring the rock cavities.
Motorcycle itinerary between Piedmont and Liguria: Toirano and its caves
Map
Way
It is the right opportunity for a nice tour of the Ligurian Apennines, between Piedmont and Liguria, from the extreme Alta Langa to the interior of Savona. The actual departure is from Bagnasco (which you can reach in a few minutes from Cevo, located on the A6 Turin – Savona highway). Take the SP490 provincial road and immediately arrive at Maximinus, the first municipality you come across as soon as you cross the administrative border with Liguria. Keep moving forward: you’ll find curves, hairpin bends, and ups and downs until Calizzano. Continue straight south on Provincial Road SP52 until Bardinet, the main center of this section of the road. The road again offers curves (SP1) up to the caves Toiranowhich slightly anticipate the actual village, the destination of the route.
What to see in Toiran: attractions not to be missed
Toirano Cave
Toirano boasted the Orange Flag Italian tourist club. The majestic bell tower from the sixteenth century with an octagonal dome stands out in the historic center. The foundations of some towers, the three-arched Giaire bridge, and several parts of the ancient city walls in the Toracco district remain from the medieval village. It is worth spending a day getting to know a particular corner of Liguria, which is interesting both for the beauty of the village and the peculiarities of the natural scenery.
Toirano Cave
They are worth visiting Bàsura cave (also known as the Witch’s Cave) a cave of Santa Lucia Inferiore, which is accessible to the public and equipped for examination. An artificial tunnel allows you to visit both in a single one-way route. In total, both caves are about 1,300 meters long and their tour takes about 70 minutes. The entrance fee is €15. There are many other caves in the area – Colombo and Santa Lucia Superiore are the most famous – but they are currently closed to the public due to impracticality or scientific excavations.
Ethnographic Museum of Val Varatella
There is a museum to see Ethnographic Museum of Val Varatella, located in the Palazzo D’Aste Del Carretto. The exhibition presents a collection of objects and materials donated by the local population related to agricultural, craft, domestic, and folk activities. Located on Via Polla 12, entry costs €3 and allows you to have a €2 discount on visiting the caves.
Church of San Martino
Among the many churches in the area, the church is the most interesting Saint Martin Bishop of Tours, in the historic center. It still has a bell tower from the fourteenth century and columns dating from the Middle Ages. The Baroque interiors preserve valuable works, including altars, chapels, sculptures, and the pulpit. Nearby is another medieval testimony: Jairus Bridge (or delle Ghiaie) with three arches, with a votive shrine, built over the Varatella stream. Finally, there is no more panoramic place than the Rock Sanctuary of Santa Lucia, created in part of a cave, from whose square shaded by two cypresses you can look out into the valley open to the sea.
The rock sanctuary of Santa Lucia, in Toiran, in a spectacular panoramic position
