Italy Travel And Hotel Guide

The best excursion from Rapallo is on the cable car ( funivia ; L13,000/¬6.71 return), which rises every thirty minutes from Via Castegneto, ten minutes’ achievement inland from Rapallo’s castle, up to the Santuario di Montallegro (612m). The church was founded in 1557 when a Byzantine picture of the vocalist appeared miraculously in the hands of one Giovanni Chichizola, and it’s in a superb setting overlooking a steep, green valley, with views crossways the whole of the sparkling bay. A festa commemorating the miracle is held during the first three days of July, when the coffer of the vocalist is carried through Rapallo, and a fireworks contest culminates in the mock burning of the castle.Alternative ways up to Montallegro include following a relatively cushy footpath from Rapallo station (1hr). This continues to the summit of Monte Rosa above the church (another 30min), or diverts easterly crossways the hilltops and down to Chiávari (4hr 30min from Rapallo). Bus #92 runs from Rapallo station to Montallegro

Tags: byzantine icon, cable car, coffer, excursion, festa, fireworks, footpath, giovanni, hilltops, l13, madonna, miracle, monte rosa, Rapallo, santuario, summit