Bogliasco 2023: May 2023

Tuesday is market day in Bogliasco. This is somewhat of a relative term as Bogliasco is a small community of just over 4,000 people. The market is held in the main Piazza next to the church (Chiesa della Nativita di Maria Santissima)......and is set up by allowing food trucks and vendors to drive into the piazza. The main street through town is then closed to traffic and a nice pedestrian oriented experience is created. The event is appropriately small in scale, but it is nice to see the 'locals' out and about.

We should note that we woke up to another sunny day today. At breakfast we had the advantage of the strawberries and raspberries that we bought in Chiavari......which were enjoyed by all. Today, David and Val are leaving for Sicily. We had connected with them in this first week and are sorry to see them go.

Coffee at Bar Centro is always a good place to start.........right across from the Piazza.

Funny to be at the food market........and not buy anything! But back at the Villa our food for the week was being delivered!

Lunch was outside on the terrace.......and fortunately the awning was out, as a surprise thunderstorm moved in and we had some 'noise' and a bit of rain for about 20 minutes. Everyone was covered!

Andrea at her desk after lunch!

and another place to sit and read in the garden.

There are surprises everywhere in the giardini. Below are a few fantastical sculptures that appear in the woods on the eastern side of the property........

Another day.........and strangely more sun! The forecast was for clouds all day, but no complaints here. There was a lot of wind during the night and we expected some kind of storm this morning. The result of this has been a shift in plans and we have decided to go exploring in Chiavari, a town on the coast about 45 minutes south.

I just realized that some of our 'blog writing' is in past tense, while some of it is in present tense. I guess this depends on which of us is writing and when we are getting around to it! This morning, it is partly 'present' as we are still trying to get organized.......while also 'past' as we have already finished breakfast. This morning was a larger group at the table. Also, Ivana (Director) was there, energized as always. Also back in the kitchen this morning was Rafaella, who we think is Ivana's sister.

Looking up from breakfast, just checking on the weather........nice blue sky so far. There is, however, a thunderstorm warning on our weather app........so we will need to watching.

We started our 'viaggio' to Chiavari around 10:00. The traffic was light on the highway and we got to the center of town just before 11:00. We found a parking space in a municipal lot that was close to the market square and the historic center of town. It is a fascinating place to wander through.

Pre-Roman and Roman Era
A pre-Roman necropolis, which dates from the 8th to 7th century BC, has been uncovered in the area where Chiavari is located now. Chiavari grew up on the traces of a Roman camp on the Via Aurelia.
Medieval Era
A castle was constructed in 1147. The old town contains numerous arcades and buildings from the 13th century, including a castle, several mansions, and the nearby Church of San Salvatore di Lavagna, which was founded in 1224 by Innocent IV.
The cathedral was rebuilt in 1613. Known famously as a center of ancient humanistic tradition, Chiavari has a public library with a collection of manuscripts and incunabula. After the discovery of the conspiracy of the Fieschi, in 1542, and the capture of Chiavari by the Counts of Lavagna, the town suffered much, being associated with the conspirators. Among its illustrious citizens were: Luca Cantiano di Moneglia, founder of an Art Academy, and Giuseppe Gregorio Solari, translator of many Latin poets.
19th century
From 1805 to 1814, Chiavari served as the capital of the short-lived Apennins Departments of France of the First French Empire. Chiavari is the home of the Chiavari chair designed in 1807 by a local, Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi. The chair was a success and led to the opening of many factories in Chiavari and surrounding towns.

So much for a little history lesson! Every day they have an open produce market in Piazza di Mazzoni. We were on the hunt for strawberries!

Although there is not a picture of the strawberries, this is the guy we bought them from!!!

Fun music from the arcade!

Ristorante Boccon Divino

This is where we had a wonderful lunch! White asparagus with grilled anchovies, baccala, spaghetti with anchovies, pistachios & lemon, and spaghetti with anchovies, pepperoncino & parmesan. Then a delicious strawberry, frutta di bosco and chocolate dessert. It is literally a hole in the wall.......enter past the air conditioner.......but a widely recognized destination.