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Orero is situated 380 meters above sea level in a small valley of the Fontanabuona Valley. It has 16 communities divided into two parts: Orero, Isolona, Piammegorio, Croce, Costasecca, Incisa, Marximartino, Arà, and Castello; Soglio, Costa di Soglio, Casareggio, Piandeiratti, Zuccarello, Piana, and Mulino. The origins of these places are probably prior to the 7th century B.C., as is demonstrated by two tombs that date back before the Roman epoch. Orero has been important since ancient times because it was a place of transit in order to reach Piacenza from the Riviera (already in 218 A.C. there is proof of great trading between Rapallo and Piacenza).
Orero transited form one of the following branches: Via di Piacenza , Via del Pane, or Via del Sale, which has been proven thanks to findings that date back to the Roman epoch. In fact, this road was used frequently by mule drivers and “spallalori” that would carry oil and salt form Rapallo to Piacenza and from Paicenza to Rapallo they would carry cheese and wheat. The construction of another road marked the decline that coincided with the beginning of a large migratory wave since the practice of terrace-cultivations wasn’t enough to sustain the entire population. Thanks to the parish priest of Cicagna, Father Giovanni Battista Arata, Orero was saved. He was the one that convinced the inhabitants of Orero to open the slate caves telling them: “Under here is your bread that is sleeping.” The extraction of slate is the main economic resource and here there are some of the most important slate industries at a regional level. Slate can be used in many ways such as: blackboards, roof coverings, and pool tables. However, some slate products are exported worldwide such as: floors, plates, bas-reliefs, trays, clocks, pen holders, and many other items.
To understand the great value that slate has for Orero and the Fonyanabuona Valley can be seen in the first museum “La Via dell’Ardesia.” It will take you along various stages throughout the different communities and it allows you to follow the route of slate, its extraction in the caves, and how it was handled in the workshops. You will also stop at Isolona di Orero that has a cave and a nearby workshop. On the walls of the cave you can observe the story of how slate was extracted. It was done so by a pickaxe that would extract small pieces of slate up to 50 – 70 cm up to larger pieces that would reach 3 meters. In the workshops you can see the first machines that were used to transform the slate into products such as the typical Genovese items that were 57X57 cm that were used for roof coverings.
You will begin your journey through the museum which is worth visiting, the communities of Orero that are tranquil towns where you can admire ancient walls, Genovese arches made out of lime, homes built with stones, and other findings that trace the importance of Liguria’s past.
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