APRICALE

Apricale is unique. The fulcrum is a small square, around which the borgo develops its soul. There are high old stone buildings on several different levels, sometimes the entrance is upstairs, while the rest of the house is downstairs.

The splendid square, with its Gothic fountain and stone seats, is the heart of the borgo, surrounded by  houses, narrow streets (the typical carugi), stairs, buttresses, underpasses and gardens.

Near the square there is the Oratory of San Bartolomeo, it houses a beautiful Renaissance painting of the Madonna della Neve (“Our Lady of the Snow” – 1544).

The Parish Church has medieval origin but was almost entirely rebuilt in the 19th century. The Castello della Lucertola (Castle of the Lizard), entirely restored, is now used as a cultural centre. It has a garden surrounded by an impressive circuit of walls with three beautiful gates. One of the castle’s towers is now the bell tower of the parish church.

The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is embellished with beautiful Renaissance and Baroque frescoes. Next to it there is the 13th century Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, with its Baroque façade; very interesting are the ruins of San Pietro in Ento, a Romanesque church, the oldest of the area.

Apricale is an ancient borgo offering also some contemporary elements: the bicycle on the belltower, the murals on the walls, and the monument, made with steel, dedicated to Pazzagli and Nobbio.

Local products and typical dishes

Apricale produces an excellent extra virgin oil. The local dishes are: stuffed vegetables, ravioli with meat, pasta with pesto, baked lamb, rabbit with olives and wine, boar meat with cornmeal mush.