Diano San Pietro
Diano San Pietro was the first “pieve” (parish) in the Dianese area. The Parish church of the 18th century, by the architect Filippo Marvaldi, is surrounded by the remains of a stone wall erected as a defence against the Barbareschi pirates.
Reaching Diano San Pietro from Diano Marina, you will note a fortress-house, with guard holes upon the corners, now a seat of an olive mill: this is the image that represents the spirit of Liguria people: work and hospitality, after the initial suspiciousness. Going down to the valley, the remains of the San Siro Church are testimony of the presence of the men during medieval times.
Today, Diano S. Pietro has conquered fame in Britain, thanks to the writer Annie Hawes; her best seller “Extra Virgin”, set among the houses of this hamlet and its surroundings, talks about the intimacy and the atmosphere of living as Liguria people, in simplicity, among olive trees with genuine values.
Its inhabitants want to be remembered not only for their extra virgin olive oil made with olives from the appreciated variety “Taggiasca”, but also for the production of basil; they will even invite you to taste their famous basil liqueur!
