Cervo, Luguria, Italy - June 7, 2010

Cervo is a small, ancient town of about 1,200 inhabitants, built on top of a hill along the Italian Riviera in Liguria, Italy. In Roman times it was a mansion along the Via Julia Augusta eventually expanding in medieval times to a fief of the Clavesana marquis, a subject of the Republic of Genoa. With its 16th century towers and ramparts still protecting the village the character of Cervo has changed little since these times.
The most obvious feature of the town is the Baroque church of St. John the Baptist that overlooks the Mediterranean 200' below.
In days of yore, employment was spread over coral fishermen in the Corsican and Sardinian seas, general seafaring and olive growing.
Today the economy is almost entirely supported by tourism with many of the dwellings in town being available as vacation rentals. It likely that the romantic charm of a medieval apartment rapidly loses its luster when faced with a 200' climb for groceries, restaurants or a dip in the sea. Still, it makes for a nice postcard.
For almost 50 years, Cervo has hosted the International Chamber Music Festival established by the Hungarian violinist Sandor Vegh in 1964. Music master classes - Accademia di Cervo - are held in September, and a guitar academy is held in June. Fortunately, we missed both of these events.
For other views of the town click here.