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Although Neirone has a population of 930 it is the second local government of Fontanabuona because of the size of it territory that is 31 square kilometers.
It is very near the Tigullio Gulf and it makes up the mountainous hinterland.
You can arrive from Genoa by crossing the Bisogno Valley, from the Scrivia Valley by the Rossi pass, and from the Riviera by leaving Recco continuing along the state route that takes you to Lumarzo.
However, from Chiavari you can take the road that leads you to Gattona. From here the road for Neirone runs along the Portello torrent and it will take you along the beauty of the valleys nature.
The route is featured by small cascades, rocks, and lakes that are immersed in a rich vegetation of plant life that are typical of the Mediterranean scrub as well as the Apennines. The valley then opens up to Neirone and then it is divided into other smaller valleys.
The Lavagnola, Carmo, Larnaia, and Caucaso mountains close the valley isolating vast areas for grazing, chestnut woods, and olive groves on the sides of the valley that get more sunshine. Since it is near the sea and it is protected by the mountains it has a wonderful climate.
Neirone was at the center of the Fieschi’s domain in Fontanabuona and its history follows the vicissitudes of this family. The Conti of Lavagna were feudatory’s of many places along the Apennines such as Roccatagliata, which is a community of Neirone, which has a permanent display that pertains to this aristocratic family.
Inside the church you can admire a beautiful fresco by Baldini that represents the upper valley dominated by the feudal stronghold. The memory of its history is present in the territory and it also contains proof of a more ancient past such as the “Tomba di Roccataglia,” which is now in the Pegli Museum and dates back to 5th-4th century B.C. and this proves that the area was inhabited before the Roman domination.
Of what remains of the old roads, mule tracks, bridges, “arze,” and stone walls allows us to imagine a valley full of life that was crossed by merchants and travelers who used the upper roads to move quickly from the Riviera to the hinterland.
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