WalksThe Orchid ParadiseA short walk around Diano CastelloLet's take a look at Diano MarinaThree ancient villagesThe Savoia roadA look at a few churchesWhere the Olive Tree is kingAlong the crests
Villa Faraldi is known throughout the world thanks to its Theatre Festival, which every year in July brings alive its narrow streets and squares. Villa Faraldi dominates the highest part of the Steria Valley (from the name of the river Steria).In earliest times, the numerous mills of the area were used to grind cereals; nowadays, the countryside is dominated by the image of the olive trees, whose cultivation developed during the 16th century, when hamlets like Riva and Deglio were founded.
During the past centuries, men cultivated the olives during the cold winter months; in summer, they went fishing (especially corals) to the seas of Corsica and Sardegna.
Still today many oil mills in the valley work by water pressure (pushed upon the wheels with a canal system from the torrents); an example is in the locality called “Molini” (mill), where an ancient medieval bridge indicates the connecting pathway among the several centres of the high Steria Valley and those of Diano Valley.
Leaving the villages of Faraldi and Tovo, we can discover the countryside and its nature, walking along the many pathways into the Mediterranean “maquis” vegetation, among little churches, like the one of St. Bernardo, by the ridge of Merula Valley.
Today, the economy of Villa Faraldi is based on olive oil, and tourism, during the summer months; many tourists, especially from Northern Europe, come to visit this “Little Athens Among the Olive Trees”.
International Theatre Festival: in Villa Faraldi, every year, the best theatre production in Italy. Lindsay Kemp, Alessandro Bergonzoni, Luciana Litizzetto, and Anna Maria Barbera, are some of the artists who have been guests on stage in this “Little Athens among the Olive trees”. Under the direction of Renzo Sicco, the Festival has reached its 20th edition, and it is among the nicest European summer theatre events.Fair of St. Lorenzo, the Patron of Villa Faraldi: 10 August, night of the falling stars, the community is reunited in the main square of Villa Faraldi, for the traditional feast.First of May, a picnic to the lawn “coppetti”: every year this vast lawn to the rear of the village is animated by orchestra and food stands, to celebrate the National Workers Day in Italy.