A walk in the village chosen by the great artists of '900: a day in Calice Ligure
The sea in Liguria in the imagination of Emilio Scanavino, a famous painter and sculptor born in Genoa calicesi parents, the blue waves draw a surface like a mirror of ice skates from scratches. If the interpretations of his paintings can be any number of 1955, one thing is certain: the landscape of Liguria, with its deep blue and his wild greens had influenced, and how his art had evolved in one direction and non-figurative post-Cubist, in his works there are references to his homeland.
Many of these works Scanavino created them after 1962, when he bought the house in the district in Calice Ligure Eze, quickly extending the boundaries of his art studio in the entire village, thanks to the fact that you have attracted in the country of ' hinterland also many other important artists. For about twenty years Goblet has been a point of reference for Italian and foreign artists, as well as gallery owners, art critics and journalists.
Walking today through the typical alleyways between the houses renovated with respect for tradition, it is natural to think that pictures of Scanavino as "The Gate", or "The Mountain", both of 1975, as abstract, sink their roots in some way in the vision of this landscape.
We are inland from Finale Ligure, common though it belongs to what is considered one of the symbols of the Chalice: The Rock of Perti. This is a favorite destination for hikers and climbers, as the fortress is considered the highest part of the Finale, the area devoted to outdoor sports. The curves immersed in clean air instead of Calice Ligure are a fun backdrop for numerous cyclists who come here from abroad.
Our walk takes us around the country, along a road that runs between houses and gardens with many fruit trees, the square where the Parish Church of St. Nicholas and the Oratory of St. Charles. The two religious buildings, built side by side overlooking the village in a charming, timeless atmosphere. The parish church was built in the eighteenth century on the ruins of an existing factory and its fine thirteenth-century baroque facade is called also by that of the adjacent Oratory. Inside, admire the eighteenth century paintings, as well as the precious works of sculptor Anton Maria Maragliano. Another old church we go to visit the Chalice in the late afternoon is dedicated to St. Free, built in 1550.
Even our dinner calicese finds us pleasantly immersed in the history of the territory: when Calice Ligure was populated by famous artists of the twentieth century, the Piedmont Restaurant, run by the family, Violet, located in Piazza Mass, there was already a century. "La Trattoria was founded in 1870 by Turello According to Viola and his wife Teresa. He was in Isola d'Asti, which is why the place was called Trattoria Piedmont. In the decades since the guide is first passed to his nephew, Albert and then to his son, he and his wife Giovanna Second, that our parents, "he told Luke and Robert, sons who now run the place, always with the precious help of parents. Their family is the living memory of the history of Calice Ligure also because when there were all these artists, of course, came to eat here. "Who knows, maybe this same table was seated once Aldo Mondino", we think, as we begin to taste the hot appetizers Cappon House and the typical thin. Among the other a delicacy and admire the paintings on the walls, through which we feel immersed in the artistic atmosphere of the historic town. Among the first we can not resist spelinseghi the Ligurian ravioli with butter and sage, which we followed for quite a mixed fried fish, whilst some of our friends choose another delicacy, the Ligurian rabbit. Let's water these goodness of Ligurian wines including Rossese Dolceacqua and Pigato d'Albenga, and finally in sweetness, taste the homemade desserts, including ice fishing, tiramisu, bunet, apple pie peaches and cake and macaroons. After dinner we ask owners to visit the well-stocked wine cellar, even to admire the ancient well which is located inside.
The seasons change, and today are the new galleries to continue the artistic tradition of Calice Ligure. It 'a pleasure to discover this world, even during the autumn period: even to enjoy a nice plate of maltagliate mushrooms and maybe an ice cream with chestnuts.
Bertha Frances
FOR INFORMATION:
www.comune.calice-ligure.sv.it
Trattoria Piemontese
Piazza Massa, 4 Calice Ligure (SV)
Tel.: 019/65463