Top 6 Castles around Ranzo

Castle dating back to the 16th-17th century. With a quadrangular plan, the castle is equipped with four watchtowers and guard posts at the corners on the first floor. Surrounded by a defensive moat, the original drawbridge has been replaced by a stone staircase. The slate portal bears the inscription “NEC SILENTIO TRANSEUNDA”: no one could access the residence without knowing the password. Beyond the main door opens a vestibule decorated with medallions, coats of arms, and portraits of the Aleramo family, among the oldest lords of the castle. All the rooms of the palace have maintained their authenticity almost intact over the centuries. Among the noteworthy spaces are the room that hosted Saint Leonardo of Porto Maurizio and the ancient prisons. In the castle cellars rests the "Metodo Classico" Deperi made from Pigato grapes. At the base of the castle, vineyards of Ormeasco have been planted, a grape variety historically imposed on Rezzo by the Marquises at the end of the 13th century. The building still represents one of the most important Ligurian examples of a palace-fortress,

Castelvecchio Castle in Rocca Barbena dominates the medieval village of the same name, perched on a rocky spur in the Savona hinterland. A former stronghold of the Del Carretto marquises, it was built for military and defensive purposes, and its strategic location made it the fulcrum of feudal power over the valley below. Today, the imposing manor is reduced to a fascinating ruin, its ruins revealing centuries of history. Although no longer intact, the atmosphere surrounding it is highly evocative. Its crumbling walls and towers have become the symbol of the village, a true testament to its glorious past.

Zuccarello was founded by the Clavesana family in 1248, who made the castle above it the feudal centre of the valley; it was then taken over by the Del Carretto family and, in 1625, by the Republic of Genoa.

Nice ride. Easy and well marked route. Challenging descents with uneven ground and some technical passages.

From Nasino the road begins to climb, at times with tiring slopes, up to Alto, a beautiful panoramic point and a town full of things to see, including the well-restored historic center, the castle (which can be visited by reservation) and the church with beautiful baroque frescoes. Alto is located about halfway up the hill, but the slopes decrease from here to Caprauna.

It's true, we're talking about cycle tourism here... but it's worth spending some time visiting this beautiful village, or even just stopping to take a look, the view is superb! I rode the road downhill, but even uphill it must be a wonderful experience, given the slopes you encounter, never excessive and regular. The only flaw, the road in the valley, at least up to the detour to Castelvecchio, is always quite busy, even with heavy vehicles, so you need to be careful... even downhill!

Only the ruins remain of the castle but the view is worth the effort. If you go up from the center of Zuccarello you have to push the bike for large stretches, at the top of the cobbled road wooden barriers prohibit you from going downhill

Zuccarello is a medieval town in the Val Neva. The name derives from from Zucco or Zuccaro, which means "knoll", or rather rounded hill. It was founded on April 4, 1248 with an act signed by the Marquis of Clavesana on one side and by the population of Val Neva on the other. The foundation deed is still preserved in the historical archive of the Municipality.