VIA JULIA AUGUSTA

Naturalistic Walk Along Via Julia Augusta

Alassio: Where Sea and Hills Meet History

Though Alassio is renowned for its inviting beaches, there’s more than sunbeds and seaside strolls. Just a couple of hours off the coast leads you into the hills—where Mediterranean flora, sea views, and ancient history combine in an unforgettable walk.

Via Julia Augusta: Between Nature and Roman Memory

Built in the 13th century BC under Emperor Augustus, the Via Julia Augusta connected Alassio and Albenga, offering one of the most suggestive naturalistic trails in Liguria.

•  Start at Santa Croce Church, built in 1169
• Pass the “Door of Paradise”, praised by writer Sir Cecil Roberts
• Admire Baia del Sole and Gallinara Island, visible along the entire route

Hidden Gems Along the Path

Among cypress and eucalyptus trees, you’ll reach:

• Sant’Anna ai Monti Church, pre-1000 AD, with 15th-century fresco fragments
• Sections of original Roman pavement, complete with drainage cuts and “margines”
• The Roman necropolis, dating back to the 1st–2nd centuries AD

Monuments That Tell Stories

Notable archaeological highlights include:

• A rare columbarium-style tomb, the only one found in Liguria
• A burial wall containing over 40 graves, rich in funerary artifacts
• Funerary urn niches and remnants of marble plaster decoration
• Objects recovered now displayed at Palazzo Oddo in Albenga

Ancient Theater and the Road to Albenga

Continuing your walk, you’ll reach:

• Punta San Martino, where the tomb known as the Pilone stands
• Behind it, the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, silent and majestic

At the end of the trail, either retrace your steps or take a bus back to Alassio (tickets available at designated stops).

Extend Your Adventure: Explore Albenga

If the towers of medieval Albenga capture your imagination:

• Walk a little further to reach the historic center, encircled by ancient walls
• Discover cobbled streets, churches, and art around every corner

A half-day journey through nature and history—quietly spectacular and impossible to forget.