Vignoletto Castle Ruins

The ruins of Vignoletto castle stand above the village in an excellent strategic position overlooking the Pennavaire valley, built by the marchesi Del Carretto as part of their network of hill fortifications in the medieval Ligurian hinterland. The Del Carretto were one of the most significant feudal families in this part of Italy, holding extensive territory between the coast and the Alpine passes.

What remains are stone wall fragments and foundation courses, but the setting is striking — the position commands views across the entire valley, making it easy to understand why the site was chosen. The walk up from the village takes about 20–30 minutes on a footpath. The ruins make a good short excursion combined with a walk around the village itself and the surrounding agricultural terraces.

things to do castle history
A story
The Del Carretto marchesi who built the Vignoletto castle maintained an unusual degree of independence from both Genoa and the major powers for centuries. The 1202 pact with the Republic of Genoa that Nasino signed gave the village legal and commercial protections, and the relationship held largely intact for over 500 years until the Kingdom of Sardinia absorbed the fief in 1735.