A village destroyed by the 1887 earthquake and abandoned for decades, then resettled from the late 1950s by an international community of artists living among the ruins
Bussana Vecchia is one of Liguria's most unusual villages, an artists' colony living among earthquake ruins in the hills above Sanremo in the west of the region. The original hill village was wrecked by the catastrophic Ligurian earthquake of 23 February 1887 and largely abandoned, its inhabitants resettled in a new village nearer the coast. The shattered old town stood empty for some seventy years until, from the late 1950s, a group of Italian and international artists began resettling it, repairing roofless houses just enough to live and work in and founding a free community of painters, sculptors, potters and musicians. Today visitors wander steep cobbled lanes between half-ruined stone houses draped in bougainvillea, browsing artists' studios, galleries and craft workshops, with a few bohemian bars and restaurants among them. At the top stand the gutted remains of the Baroque church of Sant'Egidio, its roof gone but its altar and stucco still visible, the most striking ruin in the village. There are no ticket booths; the village is simply explored on foot, and a visit takes one to two hours. The interplay of ruin, greenery and art makes it endlessly photogenic, particularly the open shell of Sant'Egidio. Bussana Vecchia is reached by a narrow road or footpath above Sanremo, with parking outside the village. It is busiest on summer weekends, while weekdays are quiet and many studios keep relaxed hours. This haunting, creative ruin is a unique corner of western Liguria.
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Liguria.
Highlights
- Earthquake-ruined village resettled by an artists' community from the 1950s
- Studios, galleries and craft workshops among the ruins
- Roofless Baroque church of Sant'Egidio at the top of the village
- Cobbled lanes draped in bougainvillea
Tips for visiting
- Wear sturdy shoes, as the lanes are steep, cobbled and uneven among the ruins
- Visit on a weekday or in the afternoon when more artist studios tend to be open
- Park at the village edge, as the historic centre is car-free
- Browse and chat with the resident artists, but respect that the houses are private homes and workshops
When to visit
Weekdays and afternoons, when more studios are open and crowds are thin; summer weekends are busiest.
Accessibility
The steep, cobbled, partly ruined lanes make Bussana Vecchia very difficult for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
One to two hours to wander the lanes, browse the studios and see the ruined church of Sant'Egidio.
Is it worth it for kids?
Older children intrigued by the ruins and the art enjoy it, but the unguarded ruined buildings and uneven lanes need close supervision of young children.
Is photography allowed?
Yes for the lanes and ruins; ask permission before photographing inside private studios or artists' work.
Is there an entrance fee?
No; the village is freely open and explored on foot, though studios and galleries are private and keep their own hours.