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How to get there: From Gavi (exit at Arquata-Vignole Borbera or Serravalle Scrivia. Highway A7 Milan – Genoa). You will cross the ford of the torrents that will lead you to the Parodi Ligure territory. Even from Ovada (exit at Ovada Highway A26 Genoa Trafori) you can reach Parodi Ligure through a rich scenery that crosses Castelletto d’Orba, Montaldeo, or Mornese. When at the Gavi ford you will continue along a road immersed in green that reflects the beauty of the well-known town. At the base of the powerful Fort there are numerous extended fields that have awesome colors all year round. Towards the fork that takes you to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia located in the Piedmont territory, the Nebbioli hills highlight the entrance into the Parodi Ligure territory. The signs of the times are visible in the morphology of the paths and vineyards that were in search of new prosperities, the town that had a well organized defense system, and it welcomed pilgrims and merchants during the dark times of the Middle Ages. The Albedosa marsh gave Parodi its original place-name that was Palode that was reclaimed by the Monks of St. Maria of Castiglione. In fact, the widespread surname Parodi in the Ligurian region is because Parodi had a great brotherhood with Genoa, a vast territory, as well as a fertile population. In the 1000 it was annexed to Marca Obertenga, but the Monks of St. Siro came into possession of some of the strategical territories in order to use them for assistance and cult. But Genoa was always present and it followed the history of the various communities until Prince Andrea Doria tied Parodi to feudal obligations. After the Savoy attacked and the destroyed the castle in 1625 the town lived alternative moments of fortune and it underwent various occupations until it was separated from the administrative territory of Liguria, which was caused by Urbano Rattazzi in 1859. However, the inhabitants wanted to preserve the place-name of Parodi Ligure. The nearby valleys lived particular moments during WWII with destructive Nazi-Fascist raids, fires and unforgettable massacres. Today Parodi Ligure is surrounded by other communities such as Cadegualchi and Cadimasso that offer remote paths through a farming community while Cadepiaggio has an extraordinary view and the sunshine highlights magical reflections of the town. Tramontana and Tramontanino are the oldest towns and they are scattered on the hills but they contain rich picturesque areas that show the simplicity of the rustic alleys. The county seat extends along the ridge on a protective rocky spur that highlights the town. The 15th century Palazzo Guarco is very admirable and it has a watch tower as well as view of the courtyard that has a well. The Parish Church is dedicated to St. Rocco and St. Sebastian and inside you can admire its artistic qualities. The Madonna with Baby Jesus is a distinct example of a17th century marble statue, while its wooden statues that are attributed to Maragliano are of great prestige. The rocky spur also known as the castle celebrates with a Crucifix the first Piati Lateranensi. From here you can immerge in the enchanting and fascinating vision of the hilly landscape that reach the far away horizon of the Alps. Very mystifying is the complex of San Remigio that is a magnificent late-medieval architectonic example that has been widened with Baroque forms. In fact it is waiting to be restored and it is ready to become a sacred protagonist of the entire territory of the Basso Piemonte.
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