“The place is superb, there is a bridge that is a jewel of lightness” is how Monet described the village he fell in love with in the late 19th century and which is just over 3 hours from Milan. A fairy-tale place that looks like a painting, where you can get lost among the Caruggi ( the typical streets of the center) admire breathtaking views and historic buildings of majestic beauty.
The village loved by Monet
The Italian village loved by Monet is located 3½ hours by car from Milan. The destination is worth the whole trip: here you will find a real fairy tale waiting for you.
Get lost among the Caruggi and be taken past the Parish of Sant’Antonio Abate . A truly fascinating place that deserves to be explored carefully. Its façade in warm tones-butter, orange and powder pink-immediately catches the eye, while the interior, a wide and bright nave, impresses with its stained glass windows that enrich the environment with light and atmosphere.
But the iconic symbol of the village is the Old Bridge, humpbacked and from which it is possible to catch a glimpse of the Castle itself (Castello Doria).
But what is this village so beloved by Monet? We are talking about Dolceacqua in the province of Imperia. Monet passed through there in the late 19th century in (1883-1884) with Renoir and was so impressed that he decided to return and painted the bridge and castle here.
Visiting the village
Spending a weekend in Dolceacqua is among the best choices you can make to recharge yourself with peace and beauty. The hamlet can be serenely visited in 2-3 hours or at most half a day if you want to take things very slowly. For those who wish, it is possible to install the “Visit Dolceacqua” App on your cell phone , the interactive multimedia guide that takes you on a discovery of the village
There are several facilities in which to stay, hotels Bed & Breakfast, inns and agritourisms: worth mentioning in our opinion is Osteria e Camere La pecora Nera, cute, modest and neat. Walking through the charming alleys of this lively town, you will come across historic buildings, sculptures, fountains and monuments that tell of ancient events. Through these elements, the characters who intertwined their own history with that of Dolceacqua will come to life, contributing to the fascinating atmosphere that you can still breathe in the heart of its historic center and that made Monet fall in love with this village.
Go and discover it!