Itineraries and trekking
Via Julia Augusta: a walk from Albenga to Alassio between history and nature
August 26, 2022
The Via Julia Augusta between Albenga and Alassio is a scenic route that combines the beauty of the area with a route of great historical importance. An excursion not too far from the Agriturismo Le Girandole, it is fairly easy and can also be walked with children, with the possibility for enthusiasts to cycle the historical-naturalistic itinerary.
The route runs along a stretch of the Roman consular road built by the Emperor Augustus to connect the Po Valley with Gaul, Nice and Spain: let's discover this suggestive archaeological walk with free access.
The history of the route
Built in 13 B.C. by Emperor Octavian Augustus, the first Roman emperor from whom it takes its name, to probably complete an already existing ancient route and connect Rome to southern Gaul, crossing the Ligurian coast near Alassio.
Maintained over the centuries by his successors, including Hadrian and Caracalla, until the early 19th century the Via Julia Augusta was the only overland communication route through western Liguria. Later, first the Savoys and then Napoleon built the coastal road that today is called Via Aurelia.
According to the tradition of the time, impressive funerary monuments were built along the route, the remains of which can still be seen today. The route remained hidden for a long time, and was only brought to light in the 1930s.
Difficulty and length of the hike
The trek along the Via Julia Augusta is rather easy, not very steep and mostly flat, and can be done on foot, with children and by bicycle.
It is possible to vary the length of the route. The shortest route ends in the vicinity of the last Roman monument, at a length of about 5.5 km for 100 metres difference in altitude, to be covered in about 2 hours counting the stops. The longer route, on the other hand, goes as far as the promontory of Alassio, in the vicinity of the Romanesque church of Santa Croce: in this case, the length of the route is about 10 km for 273 metres of altitude difference.
The mild climate of the Ligurian coast makes it possible to tackle the route in all seasons. The walk can be done in both directions, starting either from Albenga or Alassio, and is well signposted with signs along the route showing historical buildings.
Via Julia Augusta from Albenga to Alassio: the route
The hike along the Via Julia Augusta starts from Via S. Calocero, near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, where we also find the Archaeological Area of San Calocero. The latter is an important archaeological complex containing the oldest evidence of Christianity in the whole of western Liguria. A little further on, the archaeological walk along the ancient route of the Via Julia Augusta begins on the Albenga side: don't forget to turn your gaze towards the town to admire the towers in the centre.
Unfortunately, not much is left of the ancient monuments, except for a few ruins. However, the historical reconstruction is extremely interesting, presented in great detail and evocative. The excursion is also worthwhile for the wonderful view of the sea and the island of Gallinara.
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The first monument of the necropolis that one encounters along the route is building F. A short distance away are other funerary monuments, mostly family tombs dating back to the 1st century AD.
The funerary buildings still visible:
- Building F, characterised by the remains of a simple rectangular enclosure, inside which burials were made.
- Building E, originally formed by a long wall that is still partly visible, only three burial niches have survived.
- Building C, the oldest of the monuments in the southern necropolis. It is a columbarium monument, the only one found in Liguria, with niches still showing traces of the ancient terracotta cinerary urns.
- Building H, located next to Building C, takes the form of a large open funerary enclosure, with a wall about 25 metres long.
- Building D, the largest family tomb with an open rectangular enclosure, built with typical square stone blocks arranged in horizontal rows.
- Building B, not far from the previous ones, is a funerary monument with a square base in the centre of which we can still see the remains of a base probably intended to house a funerary altar or aedicule.
Continuing on, the vegetation becomes thicker and we cross the only section of the ancient Via Julia Augusta still preserved. Subsequently the vegetation thins out, gradually giving way to the landscape component, with glimpses of the port of Alassio, Punta Murena and, little by little, opening out onto the gulf with an increasingly wide view as far as Capo Mele.
Still-preserved section of the Via Julia Augusta
In the second half of the route, we come across the deconsecrated church of Sant'Anna ai Monti. Built supposedly in 940, although there are no reliable sources about it, it is considered the first parish church of Alassio.
On the last stretch of the route you will come across the beautiful little church of Santa Croce, outside of which there is a large car park, ideal if you want to take the Via Julia Augusta from Alassio.
Just below is also the Nightingale Belvedere, where the maritime pines offer relief from the sun and from which you can enjoy an impressive view of the Gulf of Alassio.
Sports itinerary
The Via Julia Augusta is also suitable for the more sporty. The free access and its very low altitude difference make the route ideal for practising sports, including jogging, trekking, Nordic walking and mountain biking.
Two water points can be found near the church of Santuario di N.S. di Fatima in Albenga and the church of Santa Croce in Alassio.
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